Queensland will be at the heart of FFA Cup fever this weekend with Football Queensland (FQ) to live stream five exciting fixtures amid a packed schedule of 31 games in three days.
Preliminary Round 2 in South East Queensland marks the official opening of the 2021 tournament on a national level and represents a welcome return for Australia’s largest annual club-based sporting competition following its unfortunate cancellation last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“FQ’s 2020-2022 Strategic Plan highlights the importance of connecting and integrating our clubs and competitions,” FQ CEO Robert Cavallucci said.
“The FFA Cup is a great vehicle for that, as it provides opportunities for aspirational clubs to experience inter-regional matches and potentially measure themselves against A-League or even continental opposition through the AFC Champions League.
“Queensland teams have a strong record of achieving great results in the FFA Cup and we are excited to see the competition return with a bang in our state this weekend.”
FQ’s first live streamed fixture will be the clash between Brisbane-based Moggill FC and South West Queensland’s Gatton Redbacks from Bellbowrie Sports Club at 7:30pm on Friday night.
That game and four others across Saturday and Sunday can be watched for free on FQ’s Facebook and YouTube channels.
The 138 Queensland teams who have entered the tournament, including 33 from regional zones, are competing for four spots in the Round of 32, which is when A-League sides enter the fray.
▪️ A @TheAFCCL spot for the Winners
▪️ A new play-off system for bottom @ALeague clubs
▪️ Open-draw format for the Final Rounds
▪️ The final year it will be named the ‘FFA Cup’A massive 2021 begins this Friday!
— FFA Cup (@FFACup) February 10, 2021
Football Australia CEO James Johnson said the enhancement of the FFA Cup throughout 2021 and beyond is a key focus for the game, with the unbundling of Australia’s Professional Leagues from Football Australia having occurred.
“Principle IV of the XI Principles for the future of Australian football outlines our intent to ensure that the Australian football pyramid is aligned and connected through optimised competition structures, and no competition in Australian sport does this better than the FFA Cup,” Johnson said.
“We are committed to implementing a series of enhancements to the FFA Cup this year, including awarding one of Australia’s preliminary round slots for the AFC Champions League to the winner of the competition. This weekend, the journey for an Australian community-based club to potentially earn the right to represent Australia on the continental stage will begin.
“Our target is to surpass 700 participating clubs in the FFA Cup in 2021, with community and National Premier Leagues (NPL) clubs joining clubs from the A-League in vying to become the seventh Champion of the FFA Cup in late October.”
This weekend’s full FFA Cup Preliminary Round 2 fixture list is available online HERE.
FQ’s Preliminary Round 2 Live Stream Fixtures
Moggill FC v Gatton Redbacks FC
Friday, 12 February, KO 7:30pm
Bellbowrie Sports Club
Watch LIVE on Facebook and YouTube
Southport SC v Oxley United FC
Saturday, 13 February, KO 5:00pm
Ashmore Village Park
Watch LIVE on Facebook and YouTube
Pine Hills FC v Robina City SC
Saturday, 13 February, KO 7:00pm
James Drysdale Reserve
Watch LIVE on Facebook and YouTube
Maroochydore Swans FC v Willowburn FC
Sunday, 14 February, KO 3:00pm
Maroochydore Swans FC
Watch LIVE on Facebook and YouTube
AC Carina v Noosa Lions FC
Sunday, 14 February, KO 4:00pm
Brisbane Abruzzo Club
Watch LIVE on Facebook and YouTube
Image: Getty Images
