Olympic FC first to secure FFA spot
By Emma Sykes and Tom Greenard
Brisbane football side Olympic FC have become the first Queensland team to secure a place in the newest national football competition.
The reigning National Premier League team from Yeronga ensured their place in the inaugural Football Federation Australia (FFA) Cup after winning against Peninsula Power 2-1 on Tuesday night at Kippa-Ring.
The win for the Brisbane side means the team now has the chance to play one of 10 A-League sides competing for the cup.
The inaugural competition gives grassroots sides the chance to go up against some of Australia's best teams, semi-professional and A-League football clubs from across Australia, in a knockout tournament modelled on the FA Cup.
In July 10 A-League clubs will join the 22 clubs who have qualified from feeder cup competitions in eight states and territories in the tournament that will crown one side cup champions.
The two Brisbane-based teams went head-to-head in the match to keep their place in the competition after months of preliminary rounds.
Four Queensland teams, two of them from Brisbane, are in the running for the FFA Cup from more than 600 teams from across the country.
Brisbane Roar captain Matt Smith, who was at the match, says he thinks a show of support for local sides and players in Queensland is important.
"I think the FFA Cup has created a fantastic environment where two teams can compete to join the draw for the last stages of the FFA Cup," he said.
"Playing two years at the Strikers, I've certainly got a feel for this level.
"But these guys are part-time, they train a few times a week and they're not in a full time environment so it's going to be vastly different [to the A-League competition]."
Smith says the both sides deserve to be in the contest.
"There are big things at stake; both teams are cautious when it comes to giving goals away and going for goals because the winner takes all tonight," he said.
Brisbane Strikers play the Lions FC on Wednesday to determine Brisbane's other side to qualify for the FFA Cup.
Listen to 612 ABC Brisbane & ABC Grandstand's Tom Greenard's wrap of the match.
