Jarryd Marrell looks into the contentious decision that will see the Glory travel to Melbourne for a shot at an inaugural FFA Cup.
This Saturday night the Perth Glory will play in their second FFA Cup final in as many years. There’s always great anticipation and excitement surrounding a sporting final of any nature, and this is no different. Having succumb to Adelaide United 1-0 in last year’s final, the Glory are chasing an elusive piece of silverware to occupy their currently empty trophy cabinet.
What awaits them is a duel against the reigning A-League premiers and powerhouse: the Melbourne Victory. Many pundits have tipped the Victory to replicate last years successes and while they have had an indifferent start to the season, they have shown in patches the brilliance they’re capable of. Monday night’s 3-0 dismantling of the Wellington Phoenix should act as a warning sign to the rest of the competition.
The Victory possess great depth and quality, their fans are as passionate as any in the A-League, and they play an attacking brand of football that is simply beautiful to watch. What’s more? They have the X-factor, which comes in the form of Besart Berisha, whose skill and goal scoring ability has resulted in him attracting somewhat of a cult-like following.
As we all know the FFA Cup final is being played at AAMI Park. The Glory have seemingly come to terms with this, but it is no secret they feel like they are being unfairly treated. Both players and coaching staff haven’t shied away from voicing their opinion on the matter.
Considering it’s their second successive Cup final, and they played last year’s in Adelaide, the Glory believe it is their right to host this year’s final, and they have a case. A strong one at that.
In fact it makes logical sense. If the FFA were interested in upholding the principles of fairness and equality, the Victory would be heading to NIB stadium for this weekend’s final. Who am I kidding? We all know the motives of the FFA’s decision, they’re guaranteed more revenue with the final being played in Melbourne. The Victory’s supporter base is the largest within the competition, AAMI Park contains approximately 10,000 more seats than NIB and the population is arguably more marketable.
Maybe I’m being foolish; dreaming that some kind 0f democracy could even exist.
We all like to think that our past doesn’t dictate the future, but based on the Glory’s poor crowd figures maybe it does. Take last year for example. The Glory’s on field performances were admirable. Their team contained great depth, and Andy Keogh was undeniably one of the most exciting strikers in the competition. Yet they still averaged under 10,000 fans per game. Despite the fact it was a Wednesday night, to pull just over 4,000 in their FFA Cup semi-final at NIB was a travesty. On face value it seem’s that the Glory’s governance issues and their lack of on field success in the past is still haunting them.
It appears a harsh predicament but it’s the sad reality at this stage. Either way the Glory are still yet to find the key to combining both on on and off field success in perfect harmony. One’s thing for sure, an FFA Cup final win on Saturday wouldn’t do any harm.
The Victory demand great respect. Kenny Lowe has acknowledged it and he isn’t shying away from the monumental task that is ahead of his side. The Glory have talent in abundance, the names on their list speak for themselves.
The question is – have the Glory developed great enough team chemistry and cohesion to defeat the might of the Melbourne Victory? Genuinely challenge them? Yes. Win? It remains to be seen.
If Hume City had completed the David versus Goliath story and defeated their much stronger opponents in their semi-final, would we have seen the final being held at NIB? Surely.
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