 The Australian Soccer Federation stressed the point that neither club would be welcome till they dropped 'Croatia' from their respective names.The same political back stabbing that had caused Melbourne Croatia's expulsion in 1972 still remained in the football hierarchy.Despite the snub from the ASF Melbourne Croatia showed its ability on the national level by participating in the National Soccer League Cup, which was open to the top state league sides for a short period, each year from 1978 to 1981.