2021 FFA Cup

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2021 FFA Cup
Country Australia
 New Zealand
Teams765 (qualifying competition)
32 (main competition)
Matches played23
Goals scored71 (3.09 per match)
Attendance38,408 (1,670 per match)
Top goal scorer(s)Cyrus Dehmie (3 goals)
2019
2020
2022

The 2021 FFA Cup is the eighth season of the FFA Cup, the main national soccer knockout cup competition in Australia. Thirty-two teams will contest the competition proper from the round of 32, including 10 of the 12 A-League teams (with two A-League teams not qualifying), 21 Football Australia (FA) member federation teams determined through individual state qualifying rounds, as well as the 2019 National Premier Leagues champions (Wollongong Wolves from New South Wales).[1]

This year's competition is expected to be the final season the competition will be referred to as the 'FFA Cup' following on from the rebranding of the FFA to Football Australia in 2020.[2]

2021 also marks the first season that the winner will qualify for the AFC Champions League in the following year,[3] with the exception of Wellington Phoenix,[a] or any teams from the National Premier Leagues.[b]

The timing of some matches in the preliminary rounds was impacted by the on-going COVID-19 pandemic in Australia,[6] including the scheduling of the A-League playoff round and start of the final rounds.[7]

Round and dates[]

Round[8] Draw date Match dates Number of fixtures Teams New entries this round
Preliminary rounds Various 12 February 2021–24 November 2021 733 + 60 byes 765 → 32 756
Round of 32 8 July 2021 14 September 2021–7 December 2021 16 32 → 16 9
Round of 16 North & West: 30 September 2021
South & East: 15 November 2021
17 October 2021 – 30 December 2021
1–14 December 2021
8 16 → 8 None
Quarter-finals 5 December 2021 21 December 2021 – TBD 4 8 → 4 None
Semi-finals TBD TBD 2 4 → 2 None
Final TBD TBD 1 2 → 1 None

Teams[]

A total of 32 teams are scheduled to participate in the 2021 FFA Cup competition proper, ten of which are from the A-League, one the 2019 National Premier Leagues champions (Wollongong Wolves), and the remaining 21 teams from member federations, as determined by the qualifying rounds.

A-League clubs represent the highest level in the Australian league system, whereas member federation clubs come from Level 2 and below. The current season tier of member federation clubs is shown in parentheses. For the first time, the round of 32 and round of 16 will be split into 4 geographical zones (East, South, North and West) which were determined by Football Australia.[9][10]

A-League clubs
East Zone North Zone South Zone West Zone
Central Coast Mariners Brisbane Roar Melbourne City Adelaide United
Macarthur FC Wellington Phoenix Melbourne Victory
Sydney FC Western United
Western Sydney Wanderers
Member federation clubs
New South Wales APIA Leichhardt (2) Northern Territory Casuarina FC (2) Victoria (Australia) Avondale FC (2) South Australia Adelaide City (2)
New South Wales Blacktown City (2) Queensland Edge Hill United (5) Tasmania Devonport City (2) South Australia Adelaide Olympic (2)
New South Wales Broadmeadow Magic (2) Queensland Gold Coast Knights (2) Victoria (Australia) Hume City (2) Western Australia ECU Joondalup (2)
New South Wales Mt Druitt Town Rangers (2) Queensland Lions FC (2) Victoria (Australia) Port Melbourne (2) Western Australia Floreat Athena (2)
New South Wales Newcastle Olympic (2) Queensland Peninsula Power (2) Victoria (Australia) South Melbourne (2)
New South Wales Sydney Olympic (2)
Australian Capital Territory Tigers FC (2)
New South Wales Wollongong Wolves (2)

Preliminary rounds[]

Member federations teams compete in various state-based preliminary rounds to win one of 21 places in the competition proper (Round of 32). All Australian clubs were eligible to enter the qualifying process through their respective member federation, however only one team per club is permitted entry in the competition. The preliminary rounds operate within a consistent national structure whereby club entry into the competition is staggered in each state/territory, ultimately leading to round 7 with the winning clubs from that round gaining direct entry into the round of 32. Compared to the 2019 edition, the current competition will see South Australia increasing from 1 to 2 qualifying places, with NSW losing one place.[11] Additionally, the top eight placed A-League clubs for the 2020–21 A-League season gain automatic qualification to the Round of 32. The remaining four teams will be subject to a play-off series for the remaining two positions.[1]

The first matches of the preliminary rounds began in February 2021, with the final matches of the preliminary rounds (two A-League play-offs) scheduled for November.

Federation Associated Competition Round of 32 Qualifiers
Football Australia A-League 10
National Premier Leagues 1
Capital Football (ACT) Federation Cup (ACT) 1
Football NSW Waratah Cup (subsequently cancelled) 4
Northern NSW Football 2
Football Northern Territory NT FFA Cup Final 1
Football Queensland 4
Football South Australia Federation Cup (SA) 2
Football Tasmania Milan Lakoseljac Cup 1
Football Victoria Dockerty Cup 4
Football West (WA) State Cup 2

Round of 32[]

The Round of 32 draw took place on 8 July 2021,[12] with match information for zones North, South and West confirmed on 14 July 2021.[13] Edge Hill United were the lowest-ranked side in this round. They were the only level 5 team left in the competition. After Devonport City withdrew from the competition, Avondale FC were awarded a bye to the Round of 16.[14]

Times listed below are at AEST (prior to 5 October), or AEDT (after 5 October)

East Zone

6 November 2021 Mt Druitt Town Rangers (2)0–3 Wollongong Wolves (2) , Sydney
19:00 Report
  • Goal 45+4'
  • Goal 47'
  • Scott Goal 70'
Attendance: 714
Referee:
10 November 2021 Broadmeadow Magic (2)0–3 Western Sydney Wanderers (1) , Newcastle
19:30 Report
Attendance: 892
Referee: Hassan Jomaa
13 November 2021 Blacktown City (2)0–1 Central Coast Mariners (1) Glen Willow Sporting Field, Mudgee
17:00 Report
Attendance: 1,046
Referee: Kurt Ams
13 November 2021 Newcastle Olympic (2)0–3 Macarthur FC (1) , Newcastle
18:00 Report
Attendance: 1,482
Referee: Ivica Covic
24 November 2021 Sydney Olympic (2)2–4 Sydney FC (1) Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney
19:30
Report
Attendance: 3,271
Referee: Ben Abraham
2 December 2021 Tigers FC (2)0–3 (a.e.t.) APIA Leichhardt (2) Seiffert Oval, Queanbeyan
19:30 Report
  • Goal 113'
  • Goal 116'
  • Goal 120'
Attendance: 1,952
Referee: Nathan Shakespear

North Zone

14 September 2021 Peninsula Power (2)0–3 Brisbane Roar (1) Moreton Daily Stadium, Brisbane
19:30 Report Attendance: 2,905
Referee:
15 September 2021 Edge Hill United (5)0–2 Gold Coast Knights (2) Barlow Park, Cairns
19:30 Report
  • Goal 85' (pen.)
  • Goal 90+5'
Attendance: 1,946
Referee:
21 September 2021 Lions FC (2) 6–0Casuarina FC (2)Lions Stadium, Brisbane
19:30
Report Attendance: 400
Referee:

South Zone

Avondale FC (2) w/oDevonport City (2)ABD Stadium, Melbourne
10 November 2021 Hume City (2) 3–1Port Melbourne (2)ABD Stadium, Melbourne
19:30
Report
Attendance: 419
12 November 2021 South Melbourne (2)0–3 Melbourne City (1) Lakeside Stadium, Melbourne
19:30 Report
Attendance: 4,291
Referee:
7 December 2021 Western United (1)0–1 Wellington Phoenix (1) GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
19:30 Report
Attendance: 1,217
Referee:

West Zone

26 September 2021 Floreat Athena (2)1–3 (a.e.t.) Adelaide United (1) Litis Stadium, Perth
15:00
  • Goal 56'
Report
Attendance: 831
Referee: Adam Fielding
29 September 2021 ECU Joondalup (2)0–3 Adelaide Olympic (2) Dorrien Gardens, Perth
20:00 Report
Attendance: 485
Referee:
1 December 2021 Adelaide City (2)0–1 Melbourne Victory (1) Marden Sports Complex, Adelaide
20:00 Report
Attendance: 1,550
Referee: Daniel Cook

Round of 16[]

Due to fixture delays as a result of COVID-19 and State border restrictions, the Round of 16 draw was conducted in two parts. The first draw took place on 30 September where the winners from the North & West zones were combined into one pool to determine the three fixtures.[15] On 15 November the remaining draw was conducted with the East & South zones remaining separated.[16]

The lowest ranked sides that qualified for this round were Adelaide Olympic, APIA Leichhardt Tigers, Avondale FC, Gold Coast Knights, Hume City, Lions FC and Wollongong Wolves. They were the only level 2 teams left in the competition.

All times listed below are at AEDT

East Zone

1 December 2021 Wollongong Wolves (2)1–2 Central Coast Mariners (1) WIN Stadium, Wollongong
19:30
Report Attendance: 2,189
Referee: Tim Danaskos
7 December 2021 APIA Leichhardt (2) 2–1Western Sydney Wanderers (1)Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
19:30
  • Goal 27'
  • Goal 61'
Report Attendance: 4,171
Referee: Alex King
8 December 2021 Sydney FC (1) 2–0 (a.e.t.)Macarthur FC (1)Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
20:00
Report Attendance: 1,201
Referee: Kurt Ams

North/West Zone

17 October 2021 Adelaide Olympic (2)0–1 Adelaide United (1) VALO Football Centre, Adelaide
15:30 Report
Attendance: 2,637
Referee:
24 October 2021 Lions FC (2)0–4 Brisbane Roar (1) Lions Stadium, Brisbane
16:30 Report
Attendance: 2,465
Referee: Rachel Mitchenson
30 December 2021 Match 6 Gold Coast Knights (2) v Melbourne Victory (1) , Gold Coast
20:30 Source

South Zone

1 December 2021 Hume City (2)0–1 Melbourne City (1) ABD Stadium, Melbourne
20:00 Report
Attendance: 2,148
Referee: Lachlan Keevers
14 December 2021 Avondale FC (2)1–4 Wellington Phoenix (1) ABD Stadium, Melbourne
19:30
  • Goal 74'
Report
Attendance: 830
Referee: Adam Bavcar

Quarter-finals[]

The draw took place on 5 December 2021.[17]

All times listed below are at AEDT

21 December 2021 APIA Leichhardt (2)0–6 Central Coast Mariners (1) Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
19:30 Report
Attendance: 5,681
Referee: Kurt Ams
TBC Sydney FC (1) Postponed Brisbane Roar (1) Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
Postponement
TBC Melbourne City (1) Postponed Wellington Phoenix (1) Casey Fields, Melbourne
Postponement
TBC Adelaide United (1) v Winner Round of 16 Match 6 TBD

Semi-finals[]

All times listed below are at AEDT

TBD Match 1 v TBD
TBD Match 2 v TBD

Final[]

Top goalscorers[]

As of 21 December 2021
Rank Player Club Goals
1 Australia Cyrus Dehmie Brisbane Roar 3
2 Australia Lions FC 2
Australia Scott Galloway Melbourne City
Brazil Moresche Central Coast Mariners
Australia APIA Leichhardt
Australia Lachlan Rose Macarthur FC
Australia Jaushua Sotirio Wellington Phoenix
New Zealand Ben Waine Wellington Phoenix
9 Multiple Players 1

Note: Goals scored in preliminary rounds not included.

Broadcasting rights[]

Matches are being broadcast live on 10 Play.[18][19] The final will be broadcast on free-to-air TV through Network 10, a first for the competition.

Notes[]

  1. ^ Wellington Phoenix cannot qualify for AFC competitions as they come from New Zealand, which is part of the Oceania Football Confederation
  2. ^ Teams from the National Premier Leagues cannot qualify as they were not granted an AFC licence for 2022 for either the AFC Champions League or the AFC Cup.[4][5]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Stand-alone Final and AFC Champions League prize to headline rebooted FFA Cup in 2021". Football Federation Australia. 1 December 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  2. ^ "FFA Cup 2021 set for kick-off in Queensland". Football Australia. 10 February 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  3. ^ "How the FFA Cup playoffs for A-League clubs work". Football Australia. 6 May 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  4. ^ "List of Licensed Clubs for the 2022 AFC Champions League" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation. 1 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  5. ^ "List of Licensed Clubs for the 2022 AFC Cup" (PDF). the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation.
  6. ^ "FFA Cup Round 5 Fixture Postponement". Football Australia. 3 May 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  7. ^ "FFA Cup 2021 Fixture Update". Football Australia. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Football Australia unveil 2021 Domestic Match Calendar". Football Australia. 4 February 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  9. ^ "Date set for FFA Cup 2021 Round of 32 Live Draw". FFA Cup. Football Australia. 1 July 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  10. ^ "The wait is over: FFA Cup Final Rounds to commence tonight live & free on Network 10". FFA Cup. Football Australia. 14 September 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  11. ^ "Football South Australia secure a second FFA Cup spot". Football SA. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  12. ^ "OFFICIAL: The FFA Cup Round of 32 match-ups". FFA Cup. Football Australia. 8 July 2021.
  13. ^ "FFA Cup 2021 begins transition to weekend matches as Round of 32 Fixture Schedule Confirmed". FFA Cup. Football Australia. 14 July 2021.
  14. ^ "Football Australia can announce the details surrounding the final three (3) FFA Cup 2021 Round of 32 matches yet to be played". FFA Cup. Football Australia. 9 November 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  15. ^ "Match-ups revealed for FFA Cup Round of 16 North/West Zone". Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  16. ^ "FFA Cup Round of 16 fixtures for East Zone & South Zone revealed". Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  17. ^ "FFA Cup 2021 Quarter Final match-ups revealed". FFA Cup. 5 December 2021.
  18. ^ "How to watch the FFA Cup in 2021". FFA Cup. 16 July 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  19. ^ "Football Australia reaches landmark media rights agreement with 10 ViacomCBS". 15 June 2021.

External links[]

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