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.

1977 NSL Cup
National Soccer League Cup
Tournament details
CountryAustralia
Dates20 September –
9 October 1977
Teams14
Final positions
ChampionsBrisbane City (1st title)
Runner-upMarconi-Fairfield
Tournament statistics
Matches played13
Goals scored41 (3.15 per match)
Top goal scorer(s)Branko Buljevic
Gary Cole
Peter Sharne
(3 goals each)

Background

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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

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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.

Round Main date Number of fixtures Clubs 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

Bracket

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First roundQuarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
                      
 
 
 
 
Brisbane City3
 
 
 
Brisbane Lions2
 
Brisbane City (p)1 (5)
 
 
 
Western Suburbs1 (4)
 
Western Suburbs2
 
 
 
Sydney Olympic1
 
Brisbane City (a.e.t.)3
 
 
 
West Adelaide0
 
West Adelaide (p)2 (4)
 
 
Adelaide City2 (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brisbane City (p)1 (5)
 
 
 
Marconi-Fairfield1 (3)
 
Fitzroy United1
 
 
 
Footscray JUST0
 
Fitzroy United3
 
 
 
Mooroolbark0
 
Mooroolbark1
 
 
 
South Melbourne0
 
Fitzroy United2
 
 
 
Marconi-Fairfield3
 
Marconi-Fairfield1
 
 
 
Eastern Suburbs Hakoah0
 
Marconi-Fairfield5
 
 
 
Canberra City1
 
Canberra City2
 
 
St George Budapest1
 

First round

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20 September West Adelaide 2–2 (a.e.t.)
(4–2 p)
Adelaide CityAdelaide
Report
Stadium: Hindmarsh Stadium
Attendance: 8,656
20 September Western Suburbs 2–1Sydney OlympicSydney
Report
Stadium: Marconi Stadium
Attendance: 2,237
Referee: Tim Davies
21 September Brisbane City 3–2Brisbane LionsBrisbane
Report
Stadium: Perry Park
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: Peter Lampley
21 September Canberra City 2–1St George-BudapestCanberra
Report
Stadium: Manuka Oval
Attendance: 1,000
Referee: Dennis McDermott
21 September Fitzroy United 1–0Footscray JUSTMelbourne
Report Stadium: Olympic Park
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: Don Campbell
22 September Mooroolbark 1–0South MelbourneMelbourne
Report Stadium: Olympic Park
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: Tony Boskovic

Quarter-finals

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West Adelaide had a bye for the Quarter-finals.

2 October Brisbane City 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(5–4 p)
Western SuburbsBrisbane
Report
Stadium: Perry Park
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: David Yelland
2 October Fitzroy United 3–0MooroolbarkMelbourne
Report Stadium: Olympic Park
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Barry Wilkinson
3 October Marconi-Fairfield 5–1Canberra CitySydney
Report
Stadium: Sydney Sports Ground
Attendance: 1,190
Referee: Bill Jones

Semi-finals

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5 October Brisbane City 3–0 (a.e.t.)West AdelaideBrisbane
Report Stadium: Perry Park
Attendance: 5,000
6 October Fitzroy United2–3 Marconi-Fairfield Melbourne
Report
Stadium: Olympic Park
Attendance: 5,000

Final

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Brisbane City1–1 (a.e.t.)Marconi
Report
Penalties
5–3
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Stewart Mellings

Top scorers

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Rank Player Club Goals
1   Branko Buljevic Fitzroy United 3
  Gary Cole Fitzroy United
  Peter Sharne Marconi
4   Kevin Caldwell Brisbane City 2
  Ernie Campbell Marconi
  Ian Johnston Brisbane City
  Berti Mariani Marconi
  Warren Turnbull Western Suburbs

References

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  1. ^ "(Australia) NSL Cup 1977 - Schedule".
  2. ^ "FFA Cup a new old tradition". Football Federation Australia. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  3. ^ Stock, Greg. "1977 National Soccer League Cup Results". ozfootball.net. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  4. ^ "States may compete in national series". Soccer Action. 26 January 1977. p. 3.
  5. ^ Stock, Greg. "1977 National Soccer League Cup Results". OzFootball.