1977 NSL Cup explained

NSL Cup
Year:1977
Other Titles:National Soccer League Cup
Country:Australia
Dates:20 September –
9 October 1977
Num Teams:14
Winners:Brisbane City
Count:1
Second:Marconi-Fairfield
Matches:13
Goals:41
Scoring Leader:Branko Buljevic
Gary Cole
Peter Sharne
(3 goals each)
Prev Season:1968 Australia Cup
Next Season:1978

The 1977 NSL Cup was the first edition of the National Soccer League Cup, which was a national association football (soccer) knockout cup competition in Australia. All 14 NSL teams from around Australia entered the competition and it immediately followed the home and away season, as there was no final series.[1] [2] [3] The competition was known as the Philips Cup under a sponsorship arrangement with Dutch company Philips.

Background

The NSL Cup became a concept in January 1977 by the Australian Soccer Federation (now Football Australia) adopting the proposal to introduce a national knock-out competition for the first time in Australian soccer.[4] It was proposed that all 14 NSL teams would enter along with other state league champions, but didn't feature state league teams for this edition until the next edition in 1978.

Teams

The NSL Cup was a knockout competition with 14 teams taking part all trying to reach the Final in October 1977.[5] The competition consisted of the 14 teams from the National Soccer League.

RoundMain dateNumber of fixturesClubs remaining
First round Tuesday 20 September 1977 8 14 → 7
Quarter-finals Sunday 2 October 1977 3 7 → 4
Semi-finals Thursday 6 October 1977 2 4 → 2
Final Sunday 9 October 1977 1 2 → 1

Quarter-finals

West Adelaide had a bye for the Quarter-finals.

Final

See main article: 1977 NSL Cup final.

Top scorers

RankPlayerClubGoals
1 Branko BuljevicFitzroy United3
Gary ColeFitzroy United
Peter SharneMarconi
4 Kevin CaldwellBrisbane City2
Ernie CampbellMarconi
Ian JohnstonBrisbane City
Berti MarianiMarconi
Warren TurnbullWestern Suburbs

Notes and References

  1. Web site: (Australia) NSL Cup 1977 - Schedule.
  2. Web site: FFA Cup a new old tradition. Football Federation Australia. 2015-12-03.
  3. Web site: 1977 National Soccer League Cup Results. Stock. Greg. 12 May 2021. ozfootball.net.
  4. News: States may compete in national series. Soccer Action. 26 January 1977. 3.
  5. Web site: 1977 National Soccer League Cup Results. Stock. Greg. OzFootball.