2018 FFA Cup
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country |  Australia New Zealand |
| Dates | 10 February – 30 October 2018 |
| Teams | 781 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Adelaide United (2nd title) |
| Runner-up | Sydney FC |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 31 |
| Goals scored | 100 (3.23 per match) |
| Attendance | 89,128 (2,875 per match) |
| Top goal scorer(s) | Craig Goodwin (5 goals) |
The 2018 FFA Cup was the fifth season of the FFA Cup, the main national soccer knockout cup competition in Australia. 32 teams contested the competition proper (from the round of 32), including the 10 A-League teams and 21 Football Federation Australia (FFA) member federation teams determined through individual state qualifying rounds, as well as the reigning National Premier Leagues Champion (Heidelberg United from Victoria).
Round and dates[edit]
For the first time in the competition's history, the decision on the final venue will be conducted by a draw.[1]
| Round | Draw date | Match dates | Number of fixtures | Teams | New entries this round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary rounds | Various | 10 February–23 June 2018 | 749 + 114 byes | 781 → 32 | 770 |
| Round of 32 | 26 June 2018 | 25 July–7 August 2018 | 16 | 32 → 16 | 11 |
| Round of 16 | 7 August 2018 | 21–29 August 2018 | 8 | 16 → 8 | none |
| Quarter-finals | 29 August 2018 | 18–26 September 2018 | 4 | 8 → 4 | none |
| Semi-finals | 26 September 2018 | 5–6 October 2018 | 2 | 4 → 2 | none |
| Final | 6 October 2018 | 30 October 2018 | 1 | 2 → 1 | none |
Teams[edit]
A total of 32 teams participated in the 2018 FFA Cup competition proper, ten of which were from the A-League, one the 2017 National Premier Leagues Champion (Heidelberg United), and the remaining 21 teams from FFA 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.
| A-League clubs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide United | Brisbane Roar | Central Coast Mariners | Melbourne City |
| Melbourne Victory | Newcastle Jets | Perth Glory | Sydney FC |
| Wellington Phoenix | Western Sydney Wanderers | ||
| Member federation clubs | |||
 Canberra FC (2)
|
 APIA Leichhardt Tigers (2)
|
Bonnyrigg White Eagles (2)
|
Hakoah Sydney City East (2)
|
| Marconi Stallions (2)
|
Rockdale City Suns (2)
|
Broadmeadow Magic (2)
|
Charlestown City Blues (2)
|
 Hellenic Athletic (2)
|
 Cairns FC (2)
|
Gold Coast Knights (4)
|
Olympic FC (2)
|
| Queensland Lions (2)
|
 Adelaide Comets (2)
|
 Devonport City (2)
|
 Avondale FC (2)
|
| Bentleigh Greens (2)
|
Heidelberg United (2)
|
Northcote City (2)
|
Port Melbourne (2)
|
 Armadale SC (2)
|
Gwelup Croatia (3)
|
||
Prize fund[edit]
The prize fund was unchanged from the previous two years' events.[2]
| Round | No. of Clubs receive fund |
Prize fund |
|---|---|---|
| Round of 16 | 8 | $2,000 |
| Quarter-finalists | 4 | $5,000 |
| Semi-finalists | 2 | $10,000 |
| Final runners-up | 1 | $25,000 |
| Final winner | 1 | $50,000 |
| Total | $131,000 |
In addition, a further $2,500 was awarded from sponsor NAB to Member Federation clubs for each goal scored by them against an A-League opposition.[3] Clubs to receive these prizes were APIA Leichhardt Tigers ($7,500), Hellenic Athletic ($7,500), Avondale FC ($5,000), Rockdale City ($5,000), Bentleigh Greens ($2,500), Bonnyrigg White Eagles ($2,500) and Cairns FC ($2,500).
Preliminary rounds[edit]
FFA member federations teams competed 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 FFA member federation, however only one team per club is permitted entry in the competition. All nine FFA member federations took part in the tournament.
| Federation | Competition | Round of 32 Qualifiers |
|---|---|---|
| ACT | Federation Cup | 1 |
| NSW | Waratah Cup | 5 |
| Northern NSW | — | 2 |
| NT | Sport Minister's Cup | 1 |
| Queensland | — | 4 |
| SA | Federation Cup | 1 |
| Tasmania | Milan Lakoseljac Cup | 1 |
| Victoria | Dockerty Cup | 4 |
| WA | State Cup | 2 |
The preliminary rounds will 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. The first matches of the preliminary rounds began in February 2018, and the final matches of the preliminary rounds in June 2018.
Bracket[edit]
Round of 32[edit]
The Round of 32 draw took place on 26 June 2018,[4] with match information confirmed on 2 July.[5]
The lowest ranked side that qualified for this round were Gold Coast Knights. They were the only level 4 team left in the competition.
All times listed below are at AEST
| 25 July 2018 | Avondale FC (2) | 4–1 | Marconi Stallions (2) | ABD Stadium, Melbourne |
| 19:30 |
|
Report |
|
Attendance: 894 Referee: Stephen Lucas |
| 25 July 2018 | Port Melbourne (2) | 0–1 | APIA Leichhardt Tigers (2) | JL Murphy Reserve, Melbourne |
| 19:30 | Report |
|
Attendance: 604 Referee: David Webb |
| 25 July 2018 | Canberra FC (2) | 1–4 | Broadmeadow Magic (2) | Deakin Stadium, Canberra |
| 19:30 |
|
Report |
|
Attendance: 1,002 Referee: Kate Jacewicz |
| 25 July 2018 | Queensland Lions (2) | 3–2 | Olympic FC (2) | Lions Stadium, Brisbane |
| 19:30 | Report | Attendance: 1,202 Referee: Chris Beath |
| 25 July 2018 | Gwelup Croatia (3) | 0–4 | Adelaide Comets (2) | Dorrien Gardens, Perth |
| 20:30 | Report | Attendance: 473 Referee: Adam Fielding |
| 25 July 2018 | Bonnyrigg White Eagles (2) | 2–1 | Hakoah Sydney City East (2) | Bonnyrigg Sports Ground, Sydney |
| 20:30 | Report |
|
Attendance: 803 Referee: Chris Hope |
| 1 August 2018 | Rockdale City Suns (2) | 2–4 | Sydney FC (1) | Ilinden Sports Centre, Sydney |
| 19:30 |
|
Report | Attendance: 4,489 Referee: Ben Abraham |
| 1 August 2018 | Adelaide United (1) | 3–0 | Central Coast Mariners (1) | Marden Sports Complex, Adelaide |
| 19:30 | Report | Attendance: 3,107 Referee: Shaun Evans |
| 1 August 2018 | Heidelberg United (2) | 2–1 | Charlestown City Blues (2) | Olympic Village, Melbourne |
| 19:30 | Report |
|
Attendance: 773 Referee: Jonathan Barreiro |
| 1 August 2018 | Cairns FC (2) | 4–0 | Armadale SC (2) | Barlow Park, Cairns |
| 19:30 | Report | Attendance: 971 Referee: Jarred Gillett |
| 7 August 2018 | Bentleigh Greens (2) | 1–0 | Wellington Phoenix (1) | Kingston Heath Soccer Complex, Melbourne |
| 19:30 |
|
Report | Attendance: 1,283 Referee: Adam Kersey |
| 7 August 2018 | Gold Coast Knights (4) | 0–1 | Newcastle Jets (1) | Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast |
| 19:30 | Report |
|
Attendance: 2,222 Referee: Lara Lee |
| 7 August 2018 | Brisbane Roar (1) | 0–1 (a.e.t.) | Melbourne City (1) | Dolphin Oval, Brisbane |
| 19:30 | Report |
|
Attendance: 6,151 Referee: Casey Reibelt |
| 7 August 2018 | Northcote City (2) | 1–3 | Devonport City (2) | David Barro Stadium, Melbourne |
| 19:30 |
|
Report | Attendance: 851 Referee: Katie Patterson |
| 7 August 2018 | Hellenic Athletic (2) | 3–4 | Western Sydney Wanderers (1) | Darwin Football Stadium, Darwin |
| 20:30 | Report | Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Kurt Ams |
| 7 August 2018 | Perth Glory (1) | 0–1 | Melbourne Victory (1) | Dorrien Gardens, Perth |
| 20:30 | Report |
|
Attendance: 1,754 Referee: Shaun Evans |
Round of 16[edit]
The Round of 16 draw took place on 7 August 2018,[6] with match details finalised two days later.[7]
The lowest ranked sides that qualified for this round were Adelaide Comets, APIA Leichhardt Tigers, Avondale FC, Bentleigh Greens, Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Broadmeadow Magic, Cairns FC, Devonport City, Heidelberg United and Queensland Lions. They were the only level 2 teams left in the competition.
All times listed below are at AEST
| 21 August 2018 | Avondale FC (2) | 4–1 | Devonport City (2) | ABD Stadium, Melbourne |
| 19:30 | Report | Attendance: 725 Referee: Jarred Gillett |
| 21 August 2018 | Broadmeadow Magic (2) | 0–4 | Bentleigh Greens (2) | Magic Park, Newcastle |
| 19:30 | Report | Attendance: 1,748 Referee: Kurt Ams |
| 21 August 2018 | APIA Leichhardt Tigers (2) | 3–2 | Melbourne Victory (1) | Leichhardt Oval, Sydney |
| 19:30 | Report |
|
Attendance: 2,467 Referee: Ben Abraham |
| 21 August 2018 | Cairns FC (2) | 1–2 | Sydney FC (1) | Barlow Park, Cairns |
| 19:30 |
|
Report | Attendance: 3,950 Referee: Chris Beath |
| 29 August 2018 | Melbourne City (1) | 1–0 | Newcastle Jets (1) | AAMI Park, Melbourne |
| 19:30 |
|
Report | Attendance: 3,673 Referee: Jonathan Barreiro |
| 29 August 2018 | Adelaide Comets (2) | 0–4 | Heidelberg United (2) | Adelaide Shores Football Centre, Adelaide |
| 19:30 | Report | Attendance: 1,482 Referee: Daniel Elder |
| 29 August 2018 | Queensland Lions (2) | 0–1 | Adelaide United (1) | Perry Park, Brisbane |
| 19:30 | Report |
|
Attendance: 1,774 Referee: Peter Green |
| 29 August 2018 | Bonnyrigg White Eagles (2) | 1–2 | Western Sydney Wanderers (1) | Marconi Stadium, Sydney |
| 19:30 |
|
Report |
|
Attendance: 5,137 Referee: Stephen Lucas |
Quarter-finals[edit]
The quarter-finals draw took place on 29 August 2018, with match details announced the following day.[8]
The lowest ranked sides that qualified for this round were APIA Leichhardt Tigers, Avondale FC, Bentleigh Greens and Heidelberg United. They were the only level 2 teams left in the competition.
All times listed below are at AEST
| 19 September 2018 | Avondale FC (2) | 2–4 (a.e.t.) | Sydney FC (1) | ABD Stadium, Melbourne |
| 19:30 |
|
Report | Attendance: 1,566 Referee: Jonathan Barreiro |
| 19 September 2018 | Melbourne City (1) | 1–2 | Western Sydney Wanderers (1) | AAMI Park, Melbourne |
| 19:30 |
|
Report | Attendance: 1,800 Referee: Daniel Elder |
| 26 September 2018 | APIA Leichhardt Tigers (2) | 0–2 | Adelaide United (1) | Leichhardt Oval, Sydney |
| 19:30 | Report | Attendance: 1,823 Referee: Kurt Ams |
| 26 September 2018 | Bentleigh Greens (2) | 1–0 | Heidelberg United (2) | Kingston Heath Complex, Melbourne |
| 19:30 |
|
Report | Attendance: 2,104 Referee: Shaun Evans |
Semi-finals[edit]
The semi-finals draw took place on 26 September 2018, with match details announced the next day.[9]
The lowest ranked side that qualified for this round were Bentleigh Greens. They were the only level 2 team left in the competition.
All times listed below are at AEDT
| 5 October 2018 | Bentleigh Greens (2) | 0–2 | Adelaide United (1) | Kingston Heath Complex, Melbourne |
| 19:30 AEDT | Report | Attendance: 2,416 Referee: Chris Beath |
| 6 October 2018 | Western Sydney Wanderers (1) | 0–3 | Sydney FC (1) | Panthers Stadium, Sydney |
| 19:30 AEDT | Report | Attendance: 14,436 Referee: Daniel Elder |
Final[edit]
| Adelaide United (1) | 2–1 | Sydney FC (1) |
|---|---|---|
|
Report |
Individual honours[edit]
The Michael Cockerill Medal was introduced in 2018 to recognise the tournament's standout National Premier Leagues performer, named after the late former journalist and broadcaster Michael Cockerill who died in August 2017.[10] The inaugural recipient of the award was Elvis Kamsoba from Avondale FC.[11] Craig Goodwin from Adelaide United won the Mark Viduka Medal for the player of the match in the final.[12]
Top goalscorers[edit]
Notes:
- Goals scored in preliminary rounds not included.
Broadcasting rights[edit]
The live television rights for the competition were held by the subscription network Fox Sports. The matches were also broadcast online on the My Football Live app from the round of 16 onwards.[13] In addition to live updates and crosses at concurrent matches, the following matches were broadcast live:
| Round | Live broadcast matches |
|---|---|
| Round of 32 | Avondale FC v Marconi Stallions Rockdale City Suns v Sydney FC Bentleigh Greens v Wellington Phoenix |
| Round of 16 | APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Melbourne Victory Queensland Lions v Adelaide United |
| Quarter-finals | Avondale FC v Sydney FC APIA Leichhardt Tigers v Adelaide United |
| Semi-finals and Final | All matches |
References[edit]
- ^ Jacob Windon (6 October 2018). "WATCH TONIGHT: Which city will host FFA Cup 2018 Final?". Football Federation Australia. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
- ^ "FFA Cup 2018 Competition Regulations" (PDF). Football Federation Australia. 12 February 2018. p. 62. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ "Member Federation clubs chasing more NAB Golden Goals". Football Federation Australia. 21 August 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ "2018 FFA Cup Round of 32 draw revealed". Football Federation Australia. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
- ^ "Mega night of football to open FFA Cup 2018 Round of 32". Football Federation Australia. 2 July 2018.
- ^ "REVEALED: FFA Cup Round of 16 matchups". FFA Cup. 7 August 2018.
- ^ "FFA Cup 2018 Round of 16 Fixtures confirmed". FFA Cup. 9 August 2018.
- ^ "Dates, times and venues confirmed for FFA Cup Quarter Finals". FFA Cup. 30 August 2018.
- ^ "FFA Cup 2018 Semi Final Schedule Confirmed". Football Federation Australia. 27 September 2018. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
- ^ Fairfax Media football columnist Michael Cockerill dies, aged 56
- ^ "Avondale ace Kamsoba claims Fox Sports' new FFA Cup honour". Football Federation Australia. 20 October 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
- ^ Gatt, Ray (30 October 2018). "FFA Cup final: Craig Goodwin strikes gold for Reds". The Australian.
- ^ John Greco (19 August 2018). "All FFA Cup 2018 Round of 16 games to be streamed on My Football Live app". Retrieved 19 August 2018.