How fortunate was I to be in Canberra at Parliament at the same time my home team Hume City FC played and beat Cooma Tigers 2-0 in round 32 of the FFA Cup. I got a chance to celebrate with the winning team at Deakin Stadium who are now in round 16 of the prestigious cup.
Congratulations to Mark Ochieng who scored the first goal in the first five minutes of play, then in the first half again Ben Bowler in the 32nd minute shot the ball straight through.
The FFA Cup is an annual national football knockout cup competition. It first began in 2014. Each year, teams all across Australia compete within their jurisdiction during the provisional round of the tournament to secure a spot to represent their state or territory in the Round of 32. Once qualified for the Round of 32, state-based teams can draw any team across the country, including teams from Australia’s highest professional competition, the A-League.
Hume City are no strangers to this tournament. They have once again qualified for the FFA Cup Round of 32, as one of the four sides to represent Victoria. They defeated Oakleigh Cannons in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out in their final qualifying game.
Currently sitting 5th on the National Premier League ladder, Hume City is one of the premier clubs in Calwell.
Hume City play all their games in the heart of my electorate, at ABD Stadium in Broadmeadows. Although this match was quite some distance from ABD Stadium, I was delighted to be able to attend, not just as the Federal Member for Calwell, but also an as avid football fan.
Hume played incredibly entertaining football. I am so grateful to experience the sheer joy of their victory and their progression to the next round. It was such a special night for all involved.
Congratulations to all the players, coaches, committee members and supporters of Hume City. Here is hoping that you will be able to replicate your incredible run in 2015, where Hume was the final state-based side in the competition to qualify for the Semi-Finals. I will be keeping a close eye on your opponent for the Round of 16. Here is hoping the match will be played in Broadmeadows at ABD Stadium.
Good luck for the rest of the FFA Cup, NPL season, and fingers crossed you can win your Dockerty Cup Final against Melbourne Knights!
