About 4000 Sydney FC fans travelled out to Edensor Park
Photo: Teen Wolf
Australian football’s newly-arrived cup competition, the FFA Cup, has quickly caught the imagination of the Australian football public.
Born out of the historically enamoured English FA Cup, the upsets and anticipated clashes have proved to be a hit in Australia’s version of the storied cup competition.
Giant-killing upsets and healthy lower league crowds have added to the romantic notion for the players, fans and clubs that dare to dream of making it to the inaugural cup final.
And upsets don’t come any bigger than Australia’s Cinderella team Western Sydney Wanderers who were knocked out in their maiden game of the competition in a 1-0 loss away to South Australian State League team Adelaide City.
That result came in the round of 32, the round in which the A-League teams make their cup appearance. Prior to that, the competition sees local state league teams at every level vying for a place in the last 32.
Once there, teams are drawn to play each other on a national level, with interstate travel adding to the mystique and magic of the cup experience. It is a rare opportunity for many lower league players who would otherwise never get to play against some of their more fancied opponents.
Tuesday night saw 8000 fans show up at Edensor Park in Sydney’s west to see State league outfit Sydney United host A-League side Sydney FC in the Round of 16 feature match.
The occasion lived up to the hype with a much anticipated and tense cup-style atmosphere bringing the game to life. Sydney FC eventually ran out 3-1 winners, but the home side provided excellent opposition until the very end. An injury time goal confirmed the A-League side advancing to the Quarter Finals.
Fox sports has been televising feature matches with mid-match feeds to other grounds around the country to report on score updates and goals. Football fans and even sports fans in general will definitely be tuning in as the cup continues to reach its climax.
FFA Cup Quarter Final Draw
Sydney FC v Adelaide United
Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory
Palm Beach Sharks v Central Coast Mariners
Bentleigh Greens v Adelaide City
