CUP Round 1

[neits/burgo/shadow]

Taking into account it is knockout this year and not 2 groups and cross over semi's..

Ok so all I know at the moment...

Fulham prems vs Olympic Prems
Metro Prems vs City Prems

So, the current top 4 teams are playing each other in the first round, which will mean 2 of those teams will miss out on going any further...How is it right for the 2 cup finalists (Metro and City) to be playing each other in round 1???

No disrespect to Reserve and Div 1 Teams, but I dont think many people will pay to watch 2 teams from these leagues in a Cup final which is supposed to showcase 2 of the best teams in the FFSA women's league.

Premier League teams should have been seeded and/or be given a bye the first round...

Would you ever see Nadal play Federer in the 1st round at the Australian Open???
Where is the common sense?

[Angela Porcu]

How is it right for the 2 cup finalists (Metro and City) to be playing each other in round 1???

Ties should be drawn at random. I two top teams get drawn against each other at the first hurdle then so be it. Byes usually only occur in the first round so that the next round has the right number of teams that would whittle down to two to play a final.

[neits/burgo/shadow]

How is it right for the 2 cup finalists (Metro and City) to be playing each other in round 1???

Ties should be drawn at random. I two top teams get drawn against each other at the first hurdle then so be it.

It isnt a very smart way to set out a draw for cup games.....you would never see Adelaide City vs Metro Stars in the Mens Super League play each other in the first round of their Cup....In the mens cup, top teams get a bye first round....why is it different for the Womens League???

[Angela Porcu]

I haven't looked at the cup draw yet. How many ties are there for the first round?

As for your Metrostars v Adelaide City question... usually before the first round is a preliminary round to trim the number of clubs in the first round to 16 or 32 which will mathematically whittle down to two finalists. Round one would follwo the preliminary draw and in that here is every chance that Adelaide City could draw Metrostars.

[neits/burgo/shadow]

I havent seen the whole draw either, only know of the games I have been told about.

pvfc- are you able to tell us who Cumberland Prems play in the 1st round?

[nanstar]

Adelaide Airport Limited Premier Division, Reserve and Division 1 Cup Draw


Adelaide University V Flinders Flames

Para Hills Knights V Campbelltown City Reserves

Stirling Districts V Pink Panthers

Cumberland United V Sturt Marion Reserves

MUWFC Magic V Adelaide City

Adelaide Hills V Fulham United Reserves

Fulham United V Adelaide Olympic


Bye

Elizabeth Downs, Adelaide City Reserves, Campbelltown City, MUWFC Magic Reserves, Gawler, Adelaide Olympic Reserves, Western Toros, Sturt Marion, Cumberland United Reserves

[neits/burgo/shadow]

Adelaide Airport Limited Premier Division, Reserve and Division 1 Cup Draw


Adelaide University V Flinders Flames

Para Hills Knights V Campbelltown City Reserves

Stirling Districts V Pink Panthers

Cumberland United V Sturt Marion Reserves

MUWFC Magic V Adelaide City

Adelaide Hills V Fulham United Reserves

Fulham United V Adelaide Olympic


Bye

Elizabeth Downs, Adelaide City Reserves, Campbelltown City, MUWFC Magic Reserves, Gawler, Adelaide Olympic Reserves, Western Toros, Sturt Marion, Cumberland United Reserves

Poor form by the organisers.......People want to think the FFSA will do the right thing and make our leagues head in the right direction, but then they set up the Cup competition this way....we are the laughing stock of all the Federations in Aus. We can't even have our league fixtures out any earlier than 1 week before the league is set to begin....NSW had their drafts out in November 2009!

[Angela Porcu]

I disagree. It's all part of the draw.

Reserve teams competing in the same competition is a bigger joke.

[neits/burgo/shadow]

I disagree. It's all part of the draw.

I disagree with u.
A few years ago when the cup was knockout and it was a mix of Prems, Reserves and Div 1, ALL Premier League teams had a bye in the first round or were seeded and drawn against reserve of Div 1 teams. This was to avoid what has happened/is happening now. It is beyond me as to why the organisers did not set it up the same.

Have you ever seen the Men's Leagues set up their first round liks this? NO. Why?? Because it would make the Cup Comp a joke....congratulations women's football in SA.

[Angela Porcu]

No one has a divine right to the next round. If you're good enough do your business on the park.

[neits/burgo/shadow]

No one has a divine right to the next round. If you're good enough do your business on the park.

Ok, so are you saying that if you bought tickets to the Aus Open Final, thinking you would see 2 of the top players in the world play each other, then only to find out that in the first round nadal vs federer and safin vs hewitt, then the winners of each of those games play each other in the second round....suppose nadal made it all the way to the final and had to play some unknown asian player....how much entertainment would that provide you as a spectator who has paid $150 to watch the best in the business but be shattered to find out it is going to be only half the game you expected? What a waste of time and money. If the Tennis Aus were the only association int he world who organised their grand slam like that, they would be the joke of tennis.

Now I know we only pay $5 to watch a cup final....but the point is, on cup final day, spectators want to watch the best teams play. We want to promote womens football, get more people out at the games who dont usually watch womens sports....but if they come out on cup day and see 2 reserves teams play each other, what are they going to think of the standard of our game? Will they think about coming to another game?? Probably not...

[Angela Porcu]

Any sport that doesn't allow you to cheer during play shouldn't be taken seriously. Next.

Two reserves teams in a cup final means they would have beaten your so called best to get there.

[neits/burgo/shadow]

Well by that answer, it seems you have about as many brains and common sense as the people who organised the Adelaide Airport Womens Cup...The road to the Final.....The "Showcase" of Women's Football in South Australia.

[neits/burgo/shadow]

Any sport that doesn't allow you to cheer during play shouldn't be taken seriously. Next.

Two reserves teams in a cup final means they would have beaten your so called best to get there.

#1- Angela, Why do u keep editting your posts after your original? getting annoying.

#2- I was exaggerating about the 2 reserves teams....the more realistic, dreaded scenario for interested knowledgable spectators, officials and players would be a Premier League Team vs Reserves Team...which I highly doubt will happen....All i can say is that the Semi's will be very scrappy games. Unless 2 of the top teams again have to play each other. You would almost have to say that would be the Cup Final Game, making the "Cup Final" in September a boring affair.

[Angela Porcu]

but the point is, on cup final day, spectators want to watch the best teams play.

You'll find that the two teams in the final will have been unbeaten in their road to the final. You can't get much better than that.

[Angela Porcu]

You would almost have to say that would be the Cup Final Game, making the "Cup Final" in September a boring affair.

Rubbish. Matches with lower teams can be just as entertaining as matches between the top two.

[Angela Porcu]

#1- Angela, Why do u keep editting your posts after your original? getting annoying.

After posting I realized it could be phrased better. Whilst correcting it you have responded.

[neits/burgo/shadow]

but the point is, on cup final day, spectators want to watch the best teams play.

You'll find that the two teams in the final will have been unbeaten in their road to the final. You can't get much better than that.

Yes ur right, but how much quality football will it provide? It will be interesting to see how this all pans out September....

Again to your second pst just then.....would the game with the 2 lower sides be as quality and of a high standard as a game with 2 premier league sides? I highly doubt it.

What if a money grant from the government was going to be given to the FFSA based upon the quality, entertainment, atmosphere, skill, technique etc of the Women's cup final, and the Gov. Reps. saw a game that did not provide all of the above elements at a high enough standard because there were lower div teams competing.....I am sure some people would be kicking themselves and loo0king for a new job.

Quality football is what the people want!

[pvfc]

I havent seen the whole draw either, only know of the games I have been told about.

pvfc- are you able to tell us who Cumberland Prems play in the 1st round?

Neits, I assumed you know who I am - I am taking a bit more of a back seat this year so I can support my daughters ongoing football comitments but still help womens football progress to some extent. As a result I dont get info as soon as I used to, so all this is news to me.

[neits/burgo/shadow]

I havent seen the whole draw either, only know of the games I have been told about.

pvfc- are you able to tell us who Cumberland Prems play in the 1st round?

Neits, I assumed you know who I am - I am taking a bit more of a back seat this year so I can support my daughters ongoing football comitments but still help womens football progress to some extent. As a result I dont get info as soon as I used to, so all this is news to me.

Fair enough...probably a good move also. haha.
What is your opinion on the topic?

[pvfc]

tbh I think the whole concept is flawed, but I'm afraid we have no choice - they are not going to change it for this season. Prems & Res from same club in same cup comp is a bit hard to get head around - I suspect res will in some cases lose out to give prems best chance (not at my club or yours of course!), and the lack of seeding....well you have probably already covered that - having 2 of strongest teams out in first round???.
Just want to make it clear that these comments are my initial thoughts and are in no way those of my club!

[beaches]

One would have thought the the 7 premier league teams would have had a bye in the first round. Along with drawing out of the hat 2 Division 1 teams to also have a bye.

Then again unless one sees the draw in full, ie.Where these 9 teams with byes fit in, hopefully the whole draw has been done, and not going to be drawn before each round.

There very well could be a farcical situation develop, where the cup winner may be known after round 2, especially if the two winners of the Fulham/Olympic and Metro/City play each other in the second round.

[ARodgers]

2 Premier league teams in a final does not guarantee a high quality entertaining match. In fact the premier league cup finals I've watched of the past 3/4 years have all been pretty poor to be honest, each one of them with supposedly 'top' teams playing. Whereas the reserve/div 1 cup has generally been quite entertaining. If you want an example from overseas, who remembers the Arsenal v Man Utd FA Cup final a few years ago? At the time arguably 2 of the top 5 teams in the world playing off against each other, and yet one of the dullest, worst games of football I've ever seen. Whereas the 1988 Final between Liverpool and Wimbledon? Absolute classic, with a so called 'lesser' side winning the whole kit and caboodle.

To carry on your tennis analogy, what about the aussie grand slam finals with Tsonga and Baghdatis? No-one had ever heard of them before the tournament, yet they provided some of the most entertaining tennis matches I've ever seen. Ivanisevic vs Rafter at Wimbledon anyone?

This is the magic of a 'random' cup draw. It provides so called lesser teams with the opportunity to have a good cup run, and maybe make it to a glamour final against a 'top' side. It's why the FA Cup is one of the most keenly followed sports events on the planet, everyone loves it when Yeovil beats a side from 3 leagues above them. I applaud the cup in this format, it should be a great ride!

[The General]

I dont know if you can compare tennis to women's soccer,team game vs individual effort ?
John Newcombe was still an amateur when he won his first Wimbledon, so was Mark Edmondson when he won the Australian Open Final ( on grass) they were still a sell out.
Must be really hard to come up with a solution to the cup competition,that everyone is in favor off ???
It has to be knockout,there are some lower clubs who would like the opportunity to challenge a Premier league team,and if even if you gave the Premier league teams a bye in the first round,who is to say they wont meet in the second round ?
How many coaches are prepared to try different strategies/tactics against much tougher opposition,may not win,can make it harder for them ? The players should always be made to feel they have some kind of a chance,makes it hard if the coach doesnt feel like that.
On seeing the cup draw,how many teams will play prem. players in res. side ( prem side has a bye )looking at the results from last week,Sturt Marion Res lost badly,and they have drawn a prem side in the cup ? What will the coaches do ?
Lastly,several years ago,when my daughter was playing, 2nd division club,we got Metro Stars prem side in the cup,our coach was excited and looked forward to the challenge. Cut a long story short,Metro won 2-1 ( Spagnoletti scored in the last minutes ),and we did have some handy players,including Cindy Romaine,Renice Reeves( scored the goal )and a young girl named Cockayne....Give it your Best Shot !!!

[southern]

Adelaide Airport Limited Premier Division, Reserve and Division 1 Cup Draw


Adelaide University V Flinders Flames

Para Hills Knights V Campbelltown City Reserves

Stirling Districts V Pink Panthers

Cumberland United V Sturt Marion Reserves

MUWFC Magic V Adelaide City

Adelaide Hills V Fulham United Reserves

Fulham United V Adelaide Olympic


Bye

Elizabeth Downs, Adelaide City Reserves, Campbelltown City, MUWFC Magic Reserves, Gawler, Adelaide Olympic Reserves, Western Toros, Sturt Marion, Cumberland United Reserves

Poor form by the organisers.......People want to think the FFSA will do the right thing and make our leagues head in the right direction, but then they set up the Cup competition this way....we are the laughing stock of all the Federations in Aus. We can't even have our league fixtures out any earlier than 1 week before the league is set to begin....NSW had their drafts out in November 2009!

Neits knows what she's talking about, while obviously most others have no idea and think that it's very fair for the lower teams to be treated like the top prem teams from the start...If it's ok that a draw has to be random, it's also true that if the numbers are odd there has to be a PRELIMINARY round whith all the lower teams playing each other for the right to be in the comp. Yes, the RIGHT to compete with the Prem teams for the cup final. Then and only then if a Res/D1 team gets to the final we could say that it was deserved!!!

Now if anyone gets there...the comp will be without two out of the 4 best teams!!! I am all for the D1 teams to compete, but they should play the Prem teams EARLY, so that if they are SO GOOD like some ppl say/the FFSA thinks...well they have the opportunity to demonstrate it on the park. Let's say, for example that E. Downs (no disrespect, just the first club I can think of) gets to the final without playing a single Prem team...then they get beaten by a Prem team in the final, say 9-0...can we then say that they truly belonged there??? NO, OF COURSE!

Let's come back to this topic after the semifinals and comment on the general level of the cup competition, see what we have to say then.

FFSA is a disgrace, I hope they give over the game to Salvation Army asap!

1 - abolish the Reserves to 'promote' D1
2 - reinstate the Reserves because of public complaints, showing no confidence at all in their decisions
3 - only 7 teams in the top competition, allowing clubs to go down and/or preventing them from going up/stay up
4 - preventing top players to play in the Prem league unless they change clubs (AU rule, shame shame shame)
5 - ridiculous cup set up, still to 'promote' D1???

And all this with the usual shiraz about postponing games, misinterpreting their own rules, conducting disgraceful state trips, issuing fixtures the same week of the league etc.

When is anyone doing something about this??? The cup draw is just another example of how the game in SA is leaded by INCOMPETENTS! When Wendy Carter was doing the whole thing on her own, things were much better. Now that women's soccer is actually a pretty important sport for girls (with the WLeague and all), SA is it's 3rd world. Congratulations.

[themagnet]

forgive my ignorance, but can someone tell me why so many teams have a bye the first round? I get that there's an uneven number of teams, but I don't get why 9 teams are missing from round one.

[beaches]

The seven winners from round 1 plus 9 with byes make the round of 16, then down to 8 winners, round 3 (quarter finals) then 4 (semifinals) then 2 (final). My guess is 1 possibly the 2 finalists will be known after round 1. How exciting is that.

[Googłe [Bot]]

One would have thought the the 7 premier league teams would have had a bye in the first round. Along with drawing out of the hat 2 Division 1 teams to also have a bye.

League and cup are two different competitions.

[Easy Tiger]

The seven winners from round 1 plus 9 with byes make the round of 16, then down to 8 winners, round 3 (quarter finals) then 4 (semifinals) then 2 (final). My guess is 1 possibly the 2 finalists will be known after round 1. How exciting is that.

Not exciting at all...unless of course those two teams draw eachother in round 2 or something! I agree that they made the cup comp a joke this year. It's like they tried their best to mess up what it was an interesting competition.

I'll go and watch one of those two games on round 1, but that will be it I guess, I sure don't go and watch Metro (or a strong team) playing some Reserve team at Hindmarsh! No disrespect for the Reserves or D1 teams, but it will be a joke-game.

[southern]

One would have thought the the 7 premier league teams would have had a bye in the first round. Along with drawing out of the hat 2 Division 1 teams to also have a bye.

League and cup are two different competitions.

We are taking things way too far here, if the D1 teams are ACTUALLY competitive, then why don't they play in the Premier League??? Instead there are clubs that drop out of the Prems because they can't sustain the competition, others that don't move up for the same reason (talking about the strongest clubs, not the weak D1 ones!), others that lose by a wide margin in their D1 comp against these clubs...How does this mean that the D1 clubs are competitive with the Prems clubs in the cup??? And IF they can, then they should play in the whole league, making it more interesting for everybody.

I think that this is just a make-'em-feel-good operation by the FFSA, which instead is actually make all the ones who know something about competitive sport feel bad.

If D1 clubs are to play in the Prems cup, then they should have their preliminary round NOT being 'helped' by a draw where two out of the 4 top teams leave the comp on day 1.