The final stages of Australia’s premier cup competition are upon us, and for the first time ever, South Australia has two qualifying spots for the next phase of the competition. We’re down to the two qualifying finals and all four teams boast Round of 32 experience, with varying levels of success in previous years. Equally varying is the league form that each side carries into these fixtures; but as we know, anything can happen in the cup.
Campbelltown through the NPL post-season competition, and Olympic through the traditional means of winning the Federation cup, are our state’s most recent champions – but only one of them can qualify this time. In 2019, despite a valiant effort at home, the Red Devils were downed by eventual finalists Melbourne City 3-1. Captain at the time, and now coach, Iain Fyfe scored for his team on that night– and two years later he has the chance to see Campbelltown through to the national arena once again.
Olympic’s 2019 Round of 32 fixture against Floreat Athena was undoubtedly the biggest night in the club’s history – and with the spotlight on them, they delivered. Fausto Erba, now captain, had a night to remember as he spearheaded the 4-3 win with two goals as well as a red card for excessive celebration – go hard or go home. Erba details the emotions of that night, stating “the feeling we had that night was fantastic, it was a crazy game that everyone at the club will remember for a long time”.
The win sent them through to the next round, where they, unfortunately, could not overcome Hume City. Olympic coach Yianni Stamatelopoulos suggests that “that type of exposure, it allows the players to showcase their ability at the highest level”. Furthermore, Stamatelopoulos identifies the cup as a great chance to build momentum in the league, “I think team stability and momentum in football is massive. If you are winning in the cup and continue with that in the league – it only puts more fire into the belly of your players. Success breeds success”.
Olympic have overcome a team in each division, downing Adelaide University, Fulham and then Croydon. Stamatelopoulos spoke about the challenge of facing teams in the lower leagues, “Both teams have quality in their own right. Uni was very disciplined and made it difficult for us to break them down, (whereas) Fulham chose to come at us rather than sit back – and to their credit, they could have scored a couple before half-time”. The stage is set for Olympic to stifle their mixed run of results and find themselves once again on the national stage. Erba stated that Olympic see no distinction between the league and the cup, “our mentality is to win every game”. When asked about tonight’s opponents, Erba mentions their experience and quality – but says his side “are ready to face them and play our football with no fear”.
Campbelltown have paved an impressive path in their cup conquest, knocking off Panthers, Pirates and Comets in chronological order – the latter being the most impressive, a 4-1 demolition of the league leaders.
The stage is set, and these players know what is at stake. A Round of 32 berth is huge for these clubs, both financially and in terms of national reputation. Whoever the winner, we can be assured they will do South Australia proud in the next round.
FFA Cup Qualifying Final #1
Adelaide Olympic v Campbelltown City
Tuesday, June 22, 7.30 pm
VALO Football Centre, Angle Park
Adelaide Olympic line-up: 1. Lewis Moss (GK), 2. Chol Wel, 3. Paul Wilson, 4. Benkert Abdija, 5. Michael Cittadini, 6. Kristin Konstandopoulos, 7. Jacob Jones, 8. Jason Konstandopoulos, 9. Christos Pounendis, 10. Hirofumi Kochi, 11. Tito Bontor, 12. Damian Ljujic, 13. Rastko Ljujic, 14. Fausto Erba, 20. Clifford Maina, 22. Joshua Kavenagh, 24. Panagiotis Manidakis, 44. Ioannis Simosis
Coaches: Yianni Stamatelopoulos, George Konstandopoulos, Lansana Conneh, Pal Prengaj
Team Staff: Konstandinos Dimas, Sumin Kim
Campbelltown City line-up: 1. Jamie Signorello, 2. Shaun Harvey (C), 3. Liam Miller, 5. Julian Oscar Ionni, 7. Joel Allwright, 8. Alexander Mullen, 9. Marc Marino, 10. Luigi Ditroia, 12. Nicholas Francese, 14. Adam Piscioneri, 15. Antony Piscioneri, 16. Daniel Mullen, 17. Adam De Ieso, 18. Trey Williams, 20. Nicholas Harpas (GK), 23. Jake Halliday, Santana Bartowski,
Coaches: Iain Fyfe, Leslie Pogliacomi, Corey Artone, Ali Sadick
Team Staff: Agelo Kapnistis, Ryan Hanlon