The 2016 FFA Cup was the third season of the FFA Cup (now known as the Australia Cup), the main national soccer knockout cup competition in Australia. 32 teams again took part in 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 (Blacktown City from NSW).
The winner of the FFA Cup, Melbourne City, received $50,000 as part of a total prize money pool of $131,000. The defending champions, Melbourne Victory, were knocked out in the semi-final stage of the competition by the eventual champions.
Round and dates RoundDraw dateMatch dateNumber of fixturesTeamsNew entries this roundPreliminary roundsVarious12 February–25 June 2016672 + 56 byes704 → 32693Round of 3230 June 201627 July–10 August 20161632 → 1611Round of 1610 August 201624–30 August 2016816 → 8noneQuarter-finals30 August 201621–27 September 201648 → 4noneSemi-finals27 September 201619–25 October 201624 → 2noneFinal25 October 201630 November 201612 → 1none
Prize fund The prize fund was unchanged from the 2015 event. Round No. of Clubsreceive 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 donated from sponsor NAB to Member Federation clubs for each goal scored by them against an A-League opposition. Clubs to receive donations were: Green Gully ($5,000), Redlands United ($5,000), Brisbane Strikers ($2,500), Edgeworth FC ($2,500) and Floreat Athena ($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 (other than youth teams associated with A-League franchises) 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 participated. FederationCompetitionRound of 32 QualifierAustralian Capital TerritoryFederation Cup1New South WalesWaratah Cup5Northern New South Wales—2Northern TerritorySport Minister's Cup1QueenslandCanale Cup / Football Queensland Cup4South AustraliaFederation Cup1TasmaniaMilan Lakoseljac Cup1VictoriaDockerty Cup4Western AustraliaState Cup2 The preliminary rounds operated 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 2016, and the final matches of the preliminary rounds in June 2016.
Teams A total of 32 teams participated in the 2016 FFA Cup competition proper, ten of which came from the A-League, one the 2015 National Premier Leagues Champion (Blacktown City), 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 clubsAdelaide UnitedBrisbane RoarCentral Coast MarinersMelbourne CityMelbourne VictoryNewcastle JetsPerth GlorySydney FCWellington PhoenixWestern Sydney WanderersMember federation clubs Canberra Olympic (2) Blacktown City (2) Bonnyrigg White Eagles (2) Manly United (2) Marconi Stallions (3) Sydney United 58 (2) Wollongong Wolves (2) Edgeworth FC (2) Lambton Jaffas (2) Shamrock Rovers Darwin (2) Brisbane Strikers (2) Far North Queensland (2) Redlands United (2) Surfers Paradise Apollo (3) North Eastern MetroStars (2) Devonport City (2) Bentleigh Greens (2) Green Gully (2) Hume City (2) Melbourne Knights (2) Cockburn City (2) Floreat Athena (2)
Bracket
Round of 32 The Round of 32 draw took place on 30 June 2016, with match information confirmed on 5 July.
The lowest ranked sides that qualified for this round were Marconi Stallions and Surfers Paradise Apollo. They were the only level 3 teams left in the competition.
All times listed below are at AEST
Round of 16 The Round of 16 draw took place on 10 August 2016, immediately following matchday 4 of the round of 32, with match information confirmed on 12 August.
The lowest ranked sides that qualified for this round were Bentleigh Greens, Blacktown City, Bonnyrigg White Eagles, Brisbane Strikers, Canberra Olympic, Devonport City, Edgeworth FC, Green Gully, Hume City, Melbourne Knights and Redlands United. They were the only level 2 teams left in the competition.
All times listed below are at AEST
Quarter-finals The quarter-finals draw took place on 30 August 2016, immediately following the final matchday of the round of 16, with match information confirmed on 2 September.
The lowest ranked sides that qualified for this round were Bentleigh Greens, Blacktown City, Canberra Olympic and Green Gully. They were the only level 2 teams left in the competition.
All times listed below are at AEST
Semi-finals The semi-finals draw took place on 27 September 2016, immediately following the final matchday of the quarter-finals, with the match details announced on 29 September.
The lowest ranked side that qualified for this round was Canberra Olympic, who were the only level 2 team left in the competition.
All times listed below are at AEDT
Final All times listed below are at AEDT
Top goalscorers RankPlayerClubGoals1 Patrick AntelmiBlacktown City52 Liam BolandGreen Gully43 Bruno FornaroliMelbourne City34 Stipo AndrijaševićMelbourne Knights2 Besart BerishaMelbourne Victory Fernando BrandánMelbourne City Tim CahillMelbourne City David CarneySydney FC Dino DjulbicPerth Glory Joey GibbsBlacktown City Greig HensleeBrisbane Strikers Angelo KonstantinouCanberra Olympic Daniel McBreenEdgeworth Eagles Matt SimonSydney FC
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. Games not broadcast on Fox Sports were streamed live via their online services.
References
External links Official website