Things about the Australia Cup you need to know!
Things about the Australia Cup you need to know! Before the 2021 season, the Australia Cup was called the FFA Cup. It is the knockout cup competition for football in Australia. Football Australia, called Football Federation Australia until 2020, puts on this competition every year. Teams from the top division, A-League Men, and those from lower levels of the Australian soccer league system compete in the Australia Cup. Teams enter in stages, starting with the Round of 32. The qualifying rounds lead to the actual competition, which begins with the Round of 16.
From 2021 on, the competition’s winner will also get a spot in one of the AFC club competition play-offs the following year. This is the AFC Champions League for 2022. Since the Australian soccer league system doesn’t have a promotion and relegation system between the top and bottom divisions, the competition is the only way for A-League Men and lower-tier clubs to play formal, competitive games right now.
Format
The central part of the competition is a knockout tournament with 32 teams. If a game ties after 90 minutes, extra time is played, and if that doesn’t work, the teams go to a penalty shootout. From Round of 32 to the Semi-Finals in 2022, the draw will be open for each round. Member Federation Clubs will be given a chance to play at home if they are drawn against an A-League team. At the end of the final, the winning team gets a trophy called the “FFA Cup Trophy” that they keep until the following year’s final.
Winners
Adelaide United has won three titles, more than any other team participating in the competition. After beating Central Coast Mariners in the 2021 final, Melbourne Victory is the defending champion, and if Wellington Phoenix wins, it will be the AFC Cup in 2023–2024.