Welcome to the 2019 FFA Cup South Australian Qualifying Final between Adelaide Olympic and Adelaide City here at Coopers Stadium. The winner will join Adelaide United FC and Campbelltown City SC in the FFA Cup Round of 32. Since the inaugural year of the FFA Cup competition in 2014, the ‘Magic of the Cup’ has captured the imagination of local clubs and football supporters alike. This year we saw a record 54 teams from South Australia compete in the competition. The exploits of Elizabeth Downs Soccer Club in beating MetroStars in the quarter finals, epitomised that anything is possible in a cup competition This full day of cup final action will also feature the FFSA Under 18 and Reserve Federation Cup Finals. Good luck to Adelaide Olympic and Adelaide City as well as Croydon Kings and Adelaide Comets who will compete for the Reserve Federation Cup and Raiders and MetroStars in the Under 18’s Federation Cup. On behalf of FFSA Board and Staff, I hope you enjoy this great event. Yours sincerely, Michael Carter Chief Executive Officer Football Federation SA Match Preview The largest number of competing teams to participate in the FFA Cup South Australian Qualifying Rounds will culminate on Saturday at Coopers Stadium, as Adelaide Olympic and Adelaide City battle it out for a place on the national stage, where a potential clash with Hyundai A-League opposition awaits. Adelaide Olympic will return to the hallowed turf at Hindmarsh for the first time since 2004 as they look to secure a first Cup title in their 40-year existence, while the ever-present Adelaide City will look to add to their illustrious winning history in their third Cup Final appearance in five years. After arguably the most entertaining qualifying rounds in history, the final two teams standing will look back on the road to the final for inspiration and motivation to get themselves across the line. Adelaide Olympic opened their Cup campaign with a resounding 7-goal to nil thumping of State League 2 side Adelaide Hills at the Hawks nest, which was backed up by a hard fought 2-3 victory over State League 1 outfit Cumberland United. Olympic then accounted for a second State League 1 side in Adelaide Victory before battling it out with Adelaide Comets in the semi-final to book their place at in the qualifying final. Adelaide City’s path has included two games against South Australian Amateur Soccer League sides, including the epic semi-final against Elizabeth Downs in front of more than 2,500 spectators. There first round game though was against the current National Premier Leagues Champions Campbelltown City. With scores locked at 1-1 after extra time, the lottery of penalties was to decide the outcome and City was the more accurate of the two sides slotting 4 goals to 2 from the spot. City then faced the first of two SAASL opponents, showing their class on the way to a 10-0 thumping of Elizabeth Vale. A hard-fought 2-1 victory over fellow NPL side Croydon Kings then set up one of the most memorable nights in FFA Cup South Australian History, a showdown with SAASL powerhouse Elizabeth Downs. In front of a hostile crowd, it took a 75th minute penalty from Marcos Flores to secure a 2-1 victory and the remaining spot in the 2019 Cup Final. Match Preview The stage is set for a battle of friends and foes, Olympic and City exchanging numerous coaches and players in recent years. After a lengthy period as an assistant coach working alongside Damian Mori at City, George Tsonis joined Olympic as senior coach at the start of 2018 and has since brought in several players who previously serviced the black and whites. The most notable of these being summer signing and former City Captain Matthew Halliday. Speaking to Tsonis earlier this week, he noted the club’s ambitions were clear from day one of 2019. “We sat down at the start of the year and made a promise to ourselves that the club is ready to win silverware”. First year coach Michael Matricciani has faced a difficult start to season 2019, stating earlier this week that the challenge has been different to anything he’s ever experienced personally in his 15 years at this level. Looking at the situation in a positive light however, Matricciani said “The beauty of it is that we’ve had to play 14 finals since round 1. Every single game has been a final for us”. Adelaide Olympic added to its already impressive playing list in recent weeks, signing 35-cap Albanian international defender Kristi Vangjeli to bolster its backline. City haven’t failed to impress in the transfer market this week either, bringing in former Adelaide United player Fabio Ferreira who is eligible to take the field of play. Both sides boast an abundance of attacking threat. For Olympic, Fausto Erba, Ricardo Dasilva and Christos Pounendis have been able to find the back of the net regularly throughout both the Cup and NPL campaigns. Meanwhile Adelaide City will look to multiple NPL Golden Boot Winner Anthony Costa, Marcos Flores and Nicholas Bucco to spark life into their attack. The FFA Cup Round of 32 is something that every club aspires to be part of. For one of these clubs, this will become a reality on Saturday afternoon. ROAD TO THE FINALS Round 1: 0-7 PITCH 2 Round 2: 2-3 Quarter Final: 0-2 Semi Final: 2-1 ROAD TO THE FINALS Round 1: 1-1 FINAL (PENS) 2 - 4 2 - 4 on Penalties Round 2: 10-0 Quarter Final: 1-2 Semi Final: 2-1 Addressing Inappropriate Behaviour Dear Football Family One of the main challenges facing our sport is the ongoing inappropriate behaviour that is being displayed at games. There has been a substantial increase in the number of reports that Football Federation SA Competition Staff have received in relation to verbal abuse being directed mainly at Referees but also towards other participants. As we know Referees are an essential part of the game and like coaches and players, they will not get every decision correct and will make mistakes. Verbally abusing, intimidating or threatening a Referee because they have made a mis- take is not an acceptable reason and is not to be tolerated. Abusing any participant is a form of bullying and should not be experienced by anyone. Everyone involved in the sport has a collective responsibility to provide a safe environment for all participants and to reinforce that inappropriate behaviour of any kind towards any participant will not be tolerated. The ongoing abuse that is being reported to Football Federation SA is having a negative impact with some young Referees being reduced to tears in a game that they are supposed to love. FFSA is issuing a directive to everyone involved in the game that all forms of abuse must be stopped and that the leaders within our clubs and associations must stand up and implement a zero tolerance to such behaviour. It must be noted that both the Competition Disciplinary Committee (CDC) and the Disciplinary and Appeal Committee (DAC) have been instructed to implement the strongest penalties in relation to any form of abuse. I seek your support in addressing this important matter for the benefit of Football in South Australia. Kind Regards Wendy Carter General Manager – Football Operations Football Federation SA Get Involved! FFA/AFC ‘C’ Licence Youth VENUE: VALO Football Centre DATES: October 12, 19 and 26, November 2, 3, 9 and 10 TIME: 9:00am-5:00pm *NB Each session must be attended To register: https://education-ffa.sportingpulse.com/event.asp? ID=19895 FFA / AFC ‘C’ Licence Senior VENUE: West Beach Parks Football Centre DATES: October 12, 19 and 26, November 2, 3, 9 and 10 TIME: 9:00am-5:00pm *NB Each session must be attended To register: https://education-ffa.sportingpulse.com/event.asp? ID=19894 Community Coaching Courses: Skill Training Certificate – commencing June 29 Game Training Certificate – commencing July 27 Futsal Certificate – commencing August 31 Futsal Licence – commencing September 28 Visit: www.playfootball.com.au to register Refereeing Courses Referee Level 4 Venue: West Beach Parks Football Centre Dates: 17th July 7:00pm-9:00pm & 24th July 6:00pm-9:00pm To register: https://education-ffa.sportingpulse.com/event.asp? ID=20548 .