Power wait on new date for Roar tie

The magic of the FFA Cup will return to Peninsula Power, but not on August 24 as originally planned.

Power’s blockbuster tie against A-League Brisbane Roar, in the national Round of 32, was postponed on Monday due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

As a community club, Power’s state-league senior men’s squad is currently not permitted to train or play its NPL Qld matches.

However, Brisbane Roar, as a professional club, have an ‘elite sport’ exemption to train in small groups in compliance with COVID Safe regulations.

New dates

At the time of writing, Football Australia (FA), which runs the cup competition, was working on alternative dates for the match at Moreton Daily Stadium.

“Due to recent lockdowns and suspensions to community football across Australia, forthcoming FFA Cup 2021 Round of 32 fixtures have been postponed,” a Football Australia spokesperson said.

“Football Australia is working with qualified clubs, the host broadcaster, and Member Federations regarding the rescheduling of matches across the nation taking into account player welfare and public health order rules.

“Football Australia will advise of updates to the FFA Cup 2021 match schedule as soon as possible.”

Waiting game

Peninsular Power and Brisbane Roar were on Monday waiting to be advised of the new arrangements.

However, Craig Feuerriegel, the Power president, said the sale of tickets for the derby cup tie would continue while they wait for the rescheduling.

It comes as Power as the COVID restrictions are leaving Power’s table-topping team with a backlog of NPL fixtures. Power have played 16 of their 26 scheduled matches.

Only Gold Coast United has played fewer (15), one has played the same (Magpies Crusaders 16) and some have played more (Gold Coast Knights, Logan Lightning 19).

Training plans

Power's players have been given individual training schedules while the COVID restrictions prevent them training.

But if restrictions lift on August 22 and if Power resume playing on the weekend of August 28-29 it would leave six weeks for 10 games and the FFA Cup tie before the scheduled season’s end on September 25-26.

Football Queensland was, at the time of writing, planning an online meeting with all clubs this week to discuss plans for the remainder of the season.

There's more news here