THERE was late drama and upsets as the six NSW entrants for the 2017 FFA Cup Round of 32 were confirmed.
APIA Leichhardt Tigers, Blacktown City FC, Bankstown Berries FC, Hakoah Sydney City East FC and Hills Brumbies all secured their places with victories in their final NSW Preliminary Round fixtures.
NSW only have five spots allocated for the Round of 32, but a sixth team - Sydney United 58 FC - had already sealed their place after winning the NPL Final Series last year.
Ten state-level teams - including four from Victoria - have now qualified and will join 10 A-League teams in the knockout rounds, which begin at the end of July.
That means there’s still 12 spots up for grabs across Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, South Australia, Northern NSW, and ACT in the remaining Preliminary Round games.
Scroll down to see the how the action unfolded in NSW and which teams are vying for Round of 32 spots.
Ivan Necevski (L) and APIA teammates celebrate Paul Galimi last-minute winner.Source: FacebookWHAT HAPPENED IN NSW QUALIFYING?
APIA earned their first-ever spot in the knockout rounds with a matchwinner in the sixth minute of second-half extra-time stoppage-time to beat National Premier League 3 (NPL3) side Southern District Raiders 2-1.
Despite having former Mariner and Sky Blues Ivan Neceveski in goals, a first half penalty stunned the NPL1 side.
However, Michael West equalised with the final kick of regular time to send the game into extra time.
With spot-kicks looming, Paul Galimi fired APIA ahead in the 126th minute – the 61st shot of on target according to APIA - and sparked wild celebrations from 1000 spectators.
Necevski will now get a shot at FFA Cup redemption after Central Coast were eliminated by Green Gully in the 2016 Round of 32.
NPL1 team Sydney Olympic were surprisingly knocked out by the Berries 1-0, who play in the division below.
Blacktown City were dominant in a 3-0 victory over Bulli FC to seal their fourth successive Round of 32 spot.
Hakoah overcame Rockdale City Suns 3-1 after the side of former Sky Blue Paul Reid was reduced to 10 men after 40 minutes.
Newly promoted NPL 2 side Hull Brumbies ran out 5-2 victors of Illawarra Premier League outfit Kemblawarra Dapto Fury FC.
WHO’S QUALIFIED FOR THE ROUND OF 32 SO FAR?
NSW (Five spots + NPL Finals winner)
APIA Leichhardt Tigers, Blacktown City FC, Bankstown Berries FC, Hakoah Sydney City East FC, Sydney United 58 FC
VICTORIA (Four spots)
Hume City FC, Bentleigh Greens SC, South Melbourne FC, Northcote City FC
WHO COULD STILL QUALIFY?
QUEENSLAND (Four spots)
Final Preliminary Round fixtures for Round of 32 spot on June 10:
FNQ FC v Magpies FC Premier Mens
Grange Thistle SC v Peninsula Power FC
Olympic FC v Moreton Bay United FC
Gold Coast City FC v Caloundra FC
WESTERN AUSTRALIA (Two spots)
Final Preliminary Round fixtures on June 5:
Bayswater City Soccer Club v Western Knights Soccer Club
Sorrento Football Club v Dianella White Eagles
TASMANIA (One spot)
Final Preliminary Round fixtures on June 12:
Glenorchy Knights v Olympic FC Warriors
NORTHERN TERRITORY (One spot)
Final Preliminary Round fixtures on June 24:
Celtic FC v Mindil Aces/Darwin Rovers FC (June 7)
NORTHERN NSW (Two spots)
Penultimate Preliminary Round fixtures on June 10:
Valentine FC v Broadmeadow Magic FC
Lambton Jaffas FC v Edgeworth FC
Coffs City United FC v Cardiff City FC
Byron Bay Rams v Maitland FC
SOUTH AUSTRALIA (One spot)
Penultimate Preliminary Round fixtures on June 13:
WT Birkalla v MetroStars SC
Adelaide Blue Eagles v Adelaide City
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY (One spot)
There are still two more rounds to determine the single Round of 32 entrants.
Penultimate Preliminary Round entrants:
Monaro Panthers FC, Canberra Oympics, Canberra FC, Tuggeranong United FC/Riverina Rhinos (match on June 6)
WHAT IS THE FFA CUP?
The FFA Cup pits 32 of Australia’s best professional, semi-professional and amateur clubs against each other in a knockout competition to crown the champions of the country.
Hundreds of Member Federations clubs face-off in the preliminary rounds, before 22 teams join the 10 A-League clubs to battle it out in the knockout stages and eventually the FFA Cup final.
HOW DOES THE TOURNAMENT WORK?
Every state is allocated a different number of spots in the Round of 32 (as per below).
Each state determines their Round of 32 entrants through up to seven preliminary knockout rounds - so even the deep grassroots are involved!
From there, the 32 clubs vie in the Round of 16, quarterfinals, semi finals and FFA Cup final.
CHANGES FROM LAST YEAR?
Football Federation Victoria had to add another round of additional preliminary matches to cater for the 217 teams entered, as opposed to 203 last year. A record number of 83 clubs also registered in Northern NSW.
HOW MANY CLUBS WILL PLAY THIS YEAR?
This year a record 721 clubs competed in this year’s Preliminary Rounds. Once you add the A-League clubs and Sydney United 58 FC, the total will see 732 teams whittled down to 32.
United get automatic entry to the Round of 32 after winning the National Premier League 2016 Finals Series.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/ffa-cup/ffa-cup-2017-round-of-32-qualified-teams-schedule-results-fixtures/news-story/618326012c38c55f693e88155169280c
Survived 3 years and is the biggest year yet..... the gods must be crazy
