2015 FFA Cup
The 2015 FFA Cup was the second season of the FFA Cup, the main national soccer knockout cup competition in Australia. 32 teams began competition in the competition proper (from the Round of 32),[1] including all 10 A-League teams, the reigning National Premier Leagues Champion (North Eastern MetroStars from South Australia), and 21 Football Federation Australia (FFA) member federation teams determined through individual state-based preliminary rounds.[1] 2015 marks the first season in which teams from all nine FFA member federations participate, with the Northern Territory participating for the first time.[2]
| Country | .svg.png){kind=small}  |
|---|---|
| Teams | 648 |
| Champions | Melbourne Victory (1st title) |
| Runners-up | Perth Glory |
| Matches played | 31 |
| Goals scored | 105 (3.39 per match) |
| Attendance | 113,803 (3,671 per match) |
| Top goal scorer(s) | Aaron Mooy (6 goals) |
← 2014 2016 → | |
Football Federation Australia announced in February 2015 that most of the games from the Round of 32 onwards would be played on a Tuesday or Wednesday, with the final held on Saturday 7 November.[3]
The winner of the FFA Cup, Melbourne Victory, received $50,000 as part of a total prize money pool of $131,000.[4] The defending champions, Adelaide United, were knocked out in the Quarter-Final stage of the competition.[5]
Round and dates
| Round | Draw date | Match date | Number of fixtures | Teams | New entries this round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary rounds | Various | 14 February–28 June 2015 | 619 + 104 byes | 648 → 32 | 637 |
| Round of 32 | 1 July 2015 | 29 July–11 August 2015 | 16 | 32 → 16 | 11 |
| Round of 16 | 12 August 2015 | 26 August–1 September 2015 | 8 | 16 → 8 | none |
| Quarter-finals | 1 September 2015 | 22–30 September 2015 | 4 | 8 → 4 | none |
| Semi-finals | 29 September 2015 | 20–28 October 2015 | 2 | 4 → 2 | none |
| Final | 27 October 2015 | 7 November 2015 | 1 | 2 → 1 | none |
Prize fund
| Round | No. of Clubs receive fund | Prize fund[4] |
|---|---|---|
| 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 donated from sponsor NAB to Member Federation clubs for each goal scored by them against an A-League opposition.[6] Three clubs received donations – Rockdale City Suns ($5,000), Darwin Olympic ($2,500) and Edgeworth FC ($2,500).
Preliminary rounds
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 was permitted entry in the competition. All nine FFA member federations took part in the tournament, with the Northern Territory participating for the first time.[7] Player registration numbers in each jurisdiction were used to determine the number of qualifying teams for each member federation:
- NSW had five teams qualify.
- Queensland have four teams qualify.
- Victoria have four teams qualify.
- Northern NSW have two teams qualify.
- Western Australia have two teams qualify.
- ACT have one team qualify.
- Northern Territory have one team qualify.
- South Australia have one team qualify.
- Tasmania have one team qualify.
Unlike the previous season, this competition's preliminary rounds operated within a consistent national structure whereby club entry into the competition were staggered in each state or territory, ultimately leading to a seventh and final round, with the winning clubs from that round gaining direct entry into the round of 32. The first matches of the preliminary rounds began on 14 February 2015, and the final matches of the preliminary rounds took place on 28 June 2015.
Teams
A total of 32 teams participated in the 2015 FFA Cup competition proper, ten of which came from the A-League, one the 2014 National Premier Leagues Champion (North Eastern MetroStars from South Australia),[1] and the remaining 21 teams from FFA member federations, as determined by the preliminary rounds.[8] 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 | |||
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Draw
As with the previous season, teams were allocated into one of three pots for the FFA Cup Round of 32 draw. Pot A included the four A-League teams to reach the semi-finals of the 2014–15 A-League finals series (Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC, Adelaide United and Melbourne City), Pot B included the remaining six A-League teams, and Pot C contained the 2014 National Premier Leagues Champion and the 21 member federation teams which qualified via the preliminary rounds. Teams were drawn randomly into pre-determined positions. For the Round of 16, Quarter-finals and Semi-finals, teams were allocated into two pots: The remaining A-League teams into one pot, and the remaining member federation teams into the other. In each draw, teams were drawn randomly into pre-determined positions.[9]
Bracket
Round of 32
The Round of 32 draw took place on 1 July 2015. The lowest ranked side that qualified for this round were the Balmain Tigers. They were the only level 4 team left in the competition.
All times listed below are at AEST
| 29 July 2015 | Palm Beach (2) | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (8–7 p) | South Melbourne (2) | Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast |
| 19:30 |
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Report |
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Attendance: 1,638 Referee: Nathan MacDonald |
| Penalties | ||||
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| 29 July 2015 | Broadmeadow Magic (2) | 1–3 | Heidelberg United (2) | Magic Park, Newcastle |
| 19:30 |
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Report | Attendance: 1,342 Referee: Chris Young |
| 29 July 2015 | Blacktown City (2) | 1–2 | North Eastern MetroStars (2) | Lily Homes Stadium, Sydney |
| 19:30 |
|
Report |
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Attendance: 875 Referee: David Bruce |
| 29 July 2015 | Hume City (2) | 4–3 (a.e.t.) | Brisbane Strikers (2) | ABD Stadium, Melbourne |
| 19:30 | Report |
|
Attendance: 853 Referee: Jonathan Barreiro |
| 4 August 2015 | Balmain Tigers (4) | 0–6 | Melbourne Victory (1) | Leichhardt Oval, Sydney |
| 19:30 | Report |
|
Attendance: 4,849 Referee: Steve Lucas |
| 4 August 2015 | Gungahlin United (2) | 0–1 | Sydney Olympic (2) | Gungahlin Enclosed Oval, Canberra |
| 19:30 | Report |
|
Attendance: 1,603 Referee: Rebecca Durcau |
| 4 August 2015 | Sydney United 58 (2) | 3–3 (a.e.t.) (3–1 p) | South Hobart (2) | Sydney United Sports Centre, Sydney |
| 19:30 | Report |
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Attendance: 350 Referee: Luke Withell | |
| Penalties | ||||
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| 4 August 2015 | Edgeworth FC (2) | 1–2 | Melbourne City (1) | Magic Park, Newcastle |
| 19:30 |
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Report |
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Attendance: 2,430 Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones |
| 5 August 2015 | Sorrento FC (2) | 0–2 | Sydney FC (1) | nib Stadium, Perth |
| 20:30 | Report | Attendance: 3,485 Referee: Adam Fielding |
| 5 August 2015 | Darwin Olympic (2) | 1–6 | Adelaide United (1) | Darwin Football Stadium, Darwin |
| 20:30 |
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Report | Attendance: 3,175 Referee: Lucien Laverdure |
| 5 August 2015 | Rockdale City Suns (2) | 3–1 | Perth SC (2) | Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre, Sydney |
| 20:30 |
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Report |
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Attendance: 1,857 Referee: Katie Patterson |
| 5 August 2015 | Croydon Kings (2) | 1–2 | Queensland Lions (3) | Elite Systems Football Centre, Adelaide |
| 20:30 |
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Report |
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Attendance: 980 Referee: Daniel Elder |
| 11 August 2015 | Western Sydney Wanderers (1) | 1–0 | Brisbane Roar (1) | Pepper Stadium, Sydney |
| 19:30 |
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Report | Attendance: 6,028 Referee: Kris Griffiths-Jones |
| 11 August 2015 | Newcastle Jets (1) | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (3–4 p) | Perth Glory (1) | Magic Park, Newcastle |
| 19:30 | Report |
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Attendance: 2,563 Referee: Shaun Evans | |
| Penalties | ||||
| 11 August 2015 | Central Coast Mariners (1) | 0–1 | Wellington Phoenix (1) | Central Coast Stadium, Gosford |
| 19:30 | Report |
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Attendance: 6,111 Referee: Steve Lucas |
Round of 16
The Round of 16 draw took place on 12 August 2015. The lowest ranked side that qualified for this round were the Queensland Lions. They were the only level 3 team left in the competition.
All times listed below are at AEST
| 26 August 2015 | Adelaide United (1) | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Sydney FC (1) | Coopers Stadium, Adelaide |
| 19:30 |
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Report |
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Attendance: 5,066 Referee: Shaun Evans |
| 26 August 2015 | Melbourne City (1) | 5–1 | Wellington Phoenix (1) | AAMI Park, Melbourne |
| 19:30 | Report | Attendance: 4,027 Referee: Lucien Laverdure |
| 26 August 2015 | Heidelberg United (2) | 2–0 | Sydney United 58 (2) | Olympic Village, Melbourne |
| 19:30 |
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Report | Attendance: 2,270 Referee: Patrick Chaplin |
| 26 August 2015 | Queensland Lions (3) | 0–1 (a.e.t.) | Perth Glory (1) | Perry Park, Brisbane |
| 19:30 | Report |
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Attendance: 2,550 Referee: Peter Green |
| 1 September 2015 | Hume City (2) | 3–1 | Sydney Olympic (2) | ABD Stadium, Melbourne |
| 19:30 |
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Report |
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Attendance: 1,625 Referee: Jonathan Barreiro |
| 1 September 2015 | North Eastern MetroStars (2) | 0–1 | Oakleigh Cannons (2) | Elite Systems Football Centre, Adelaide |
| 19:30 | Report |
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Attendance: 1,218 Referee: Rick Schneider |
| 1 September 2015 | Rockdale City Suns (2) | 2–3 | Melbourne Victory (1) | Jubilee Oval, Sydney |
| 19:30 | Report |
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Attendance: 4,165 Referee: Katie Patterson |
| 1 September 2015 | Palm Beach (2) | 0–2 | Western Sydney Wanderers (1) | Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast |
| 19:30 | Report |
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Attendance: 1,794 Referee: Alan Milliner |
Quarter-finals
The Quarter-final draw took place on 1 September.[10] The lowest ranked sides that qualified for this round were Heidelberg United, Hume City and Oakleigh Cannons. They were the only level 2 teams left in the competition.
All times listed below are at AEST
| 22 September 2015 | Melbourne Victory (1) | 3–1 | Adelaide United (1) | AAMI Park, Melbourne |
| 19:30 |
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Report | Attendance: 10,521 Referee: Peter Green |
| 22 September 2015 | Hume City (2) | 3–2 (a.e.t.) | Oakleigh Cannons (2) | ABD Stadium, Melbourne |
| 19:30 |
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Report |
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Attendance: 1,504 Referee: Adam Fielding |
| 29 September 2015 | Heidelberg United (2) | 0–5 | Melbourne City (1) | Olympic Village, Melbourne |
| 20:00 | Report | Attendance: 11,372 Referee: Strebre Delovski |
| 29 September 2015 | Perth Glory (1) | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (4–2 p) | Western Sydney Wanderers (1) | Dorrien Gardens, Perth |
| 20:30 |
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Report |
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Attendance: 3,003 Referee: Stephen Lucas |
| Penalties | ||||
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Semi-finals
The Semi-final draw took place on 29 September.[11] The lowest ranked side that qualified for this round was Hume City, who were the only level 2 team left in the competition.
All times listed below are at AEDT
| 21 October 2015 | Perth Glory (1) | 3–1 | Melbourne City (1) | nib Stadium, Perth |
| 21:30 | Report |
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Attendance: 4,165 Referee: Shaun Evans |
| 28 October 2015 | Hume City (2) | 0–3 | Melbourne Victory (1) | AAMI Park, Melbourne |
| 19:30 | Report |
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Attendance: 6,575 Referee: Ben Williams |
Top goalscorers
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
Melbourne City | 6 |
| 2 |  |
Melbourne Victory | 5 |
| 3 | |
Hume City | 4 |
| 4 | |
Melbourne Victory | 3 |
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Melbourne City | ||
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Hume City | ||
| 7 |  |
Adelaide United | 2 |
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Western Sydney Wanderers | ||
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Perth Glory | ||
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Heidelberg United | ||
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Rockdale City Suns | ||
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Perth Glory | ||
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Sydney United 58 | ||
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Oakleigh Cannons | ||
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Adelaide United | ||
Note: Goals scored in preliminary rounds not included.
FFA Cup All-Star Team
| Goalkeeper | Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards |
|---|---|---|---|
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Source:[12]
Broadcasting rights
The live television rights for the competition were held by the subscription network Fox Sports, who broadcast 11 games live, with live updates and crosses from a single camera at the concurrent matches for goals and highlights.[13] Games not broadcast on Fox Sports were streamed live via their online services.[14] These matches were televised live by Fox Sports:
| Round | Live broadcast matches |
|---|---|
| Round of 32 | Palm Beach vs South Melbourne[15] Balmain Tigers vs Melbourne Victory[15] Sorrento FC vs Sydney FC[15] Western Sydney Wanderers vs Brisbane Roar[15] |
| Round of 16 | Adelaide United vs Sydney FC[16] Rockdale City Suns vs Melbourne Victory[16] |
| Quarter-finals | Melbourne Victory vs Adelaide United Heidelberg United vs Melbourne City[10] |
| Semi-finals and Final | All matches |
References
- "Cup spot the reward in PS4 NPL Finals Series". footballaustralia.com.au. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
- "FFA Cup to kick off in 2014 – Announcement, live updates". The Roar.
- "Saturday night final for Westfield FFA Cup in 2015". footballaustralia.com.au. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
- "FFA Cup 2015 Competition Regulations" (PDF). Football Federation Australia. p. 45. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 March 2015. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
- "Melbourne Victory claim 3–1 FFA Cup win over Adelaide United as Archie Thompson suffers serious injury". ABC News. 23 September 2015.
- "NAB Golden Goals cash prizes for member fed clubs". Football Federation Australia. 1 August 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
- "NT to enter the fray in 2015". theffacup.com.au. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
- "Gallop flags ACL spot for 2016 FFA Cup winner". FourFourTwo (Australia). Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
- "Final Rounds – how the draw works". theffacup.com.au. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
- "Details revealed for Westfield FFA Cup Quarter Finals". theffacup.com.au. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
- "Dates, times confirmed for FFA Cup Semi Finals". Football Federation Australia. 2 October 2015.
- "Westfield FFA Cup All Stars 2015". Football Federation Australia. 18 November 2015.
- "FAQS". FFA Cup. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
- "FOX SPORTS to LIVE stream Westfield FFA Cup matches". Football Federation Australia. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
- "Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32 details". footballaustralia.com.au. 5 July 2015.
- Details confirmed for FFA Cup Round of 16 Football Federation Australia, 14 August 2015