The FFA Cup is back in 2021 and Adelaide United will discover its Round of 32 opponents on Thursday night when the live draw will be conducted.
The Reds have won the tournament a record three times, clinching the previous two finals and will be hoping for a three-peat in this year’s instalment.
As the draw process and principles for the FFA Cup have been revamped, the Reds indeed know the teams they could face in the last 32 after the clubs have been placed in four zones.
The four member federation clubs below qualified for FFA Cup 2021 by reaching their respective state cup finals.
The remaining A-League spot will be determined by a play-off which will see Perth Glory host Melbourne Victory in early August. From the Round of 16 onwards the draw will be entirely open.
Adelaide United has been placed in Zone 4 (West). Here are our potential opponents:
Adelaide City
One of the country’s most historic clubs, the three-time National Soccer League winners return to the competition for the first time since the tournament’s inception and in their 75th year anniversary. The Black and Whites’ memorable cup run that year was predicated on an opening round scalp of Western Sydney Wanderers before another narrow 1-0 win against Brisbane Strikers. City would fall in extra-time against Victorian outfit Bentleigh Greens in the Quarter Finals. Coached by former Young Reds boss, Paul Pezos, City currently occupy top spot in the local National Premier League South Australia.
Previous appearances (1): 2014
Adelaide Olympic
Adelaide Olympic advanced to the next round at the first time of asking in 2019, edging Floreat Athena in a thriller 4-3 thanks to braces from Fausto Erba and Giannis Simosis. However, they would be eliminated in the Round of 16 against Hume City 3-1. Olympic meet Adelaide City in the FSA Cup Final on Wednesday, 14 July.
Previous appearances (1): 2019
Floreat Athena
Hailing from Perth and founded by Greek immigrants in 1951, Athena enter the Round of 32 stage for what will be the third instance which also coincides with their 70th year anniversary. They have reached the FFA Cup on two previous occasions in 2016 and 2019, suffering first round defeats to Melbourne City and Adelaide Olympic 2-1 and 4-3 respectively. Athena currently sit four points clear at the summit of the ladder in the NPLM WA.
Previous appearances (2): 2016, 2019
ECU Joondalup Soccer Club
Also from Perth is Joondalup, and enter the FFA Cup Round of 32 for the first time in its history. Coached by former Perth Glory boss, Kenny Lowe, the Jacks qualified for the tournament after a 1-0 victory against Sorrento in the semi-final of their local cup competition. They tackle Floreat Athena in the Football West State Cup Final on Saturday, 17 July.
Previous appearances: nil
Perth Glory or Melbourne Victory
Under the new format, the four bottom A-League sides will play-off for the remaining two places in the tournament. As Perth finished the A-League campaign in ninth spot last season they will host the cellar dwellers in Victory.
Perth Glory record:
2014 – Runners-up
2015 – Runners-up
2016 – Round of 16
2017 – Round of 32
2018 – Round of 32
2019 – Round of 32
Melbourne Victory record:
2014 – Quarter Finals
2015 – Winners
2016 – Semi-finals
2017 – Round of 16
2018 – Round of 16
2019 – Round of 32