Underdog’s cup win a dream result for fans

I’VE TALKED at length about the magic of the FFA cup.

Pitting non, semi and professional clubs from all over Australia against each other is the stuff that dreams are made of.

And the dreams of one New South Wales NPL side came true on Tuesday.

Playing at home, APIA Leichhardt produced the biggest upset of the tournament’s history with their 3-2 defeat of Melbourne Victory.

The result itself is amazing and is even more remarkable when you look at APIA’s two goal hero.

APIA’s Japanese attacker Tasuku Sekiya scored two goals in the match – a far cry from his part-time job as a dishwasher at the Sydney Opera House.

Sekiya took less then 10 minutes to open the scoring against the A-League powerhouse and in so doing instantly cemented his position as an APIA hero.

And therein lies the beauty of the FFA Cup.

Everyone wants to score the winner for their team in a grand final and the only thing that could top that feeling is knocking off a professional team in a one-off match.

Now in its fourth year, the FFA Cup is a competition that unites the entire football community.

Why? Because everyone loves an underdog story – we all want to see the big boys fall to a plucky band of butchers, teachers and young tradies.

That passion is even present at the local level of the cup.

I was in the grandstand for the USQ FC and SWQ Thunder game and there were plenty of neutral fans eager to see the Thunder fall.

I found it a little odd at first because as keen football fan I know that the difference between a good club team and an NPL side can be minimal.

But I guess the thought of a club side winning is even more exciting than an NPL side advancing.

And for the record I’m backing APIA all the way now.