For the first time since the A-League kicked off in 2005, the two rounds combined failed to reach the 100,000 mark, with an aggregate of only 92,004 going through the gates to date. The total figure is down 34,184 compared to the corresponding period last season, with the Olympics and the end of the AFL and NRL seasons cited as the reason.

However, the Football Federation Australia (FFA) remain unconcerned.

Chief executive Ben Buckley said, "Two rounds of football is too early to draw any conclusions."

"Our projections over the next few weeks show that we are on track to keep pace with last season.

"In addition, the opening rounds have clearly been impacted by Australians' love for the Olympic Games.

"We anticipate the crowds returning over the next few weeks, particularly as people realise the exciting football that we've seen already.

"You only have to look at the quality on the field with players such as Shannon Cole, Shane Smeltz, Amaral, Eugene Dadi, Charlie Miller, Joel Griffiths and Ney Fabiano to name just a few.

"Plus we've got one of Australia's greats in Mark Bosnich returning to the competition for the next few weeks."

Buckley said that other indicators show that interest has not declined.

"Membership numbers are up more than 20 per cent compared with the same time last year, with four clubs setting new personal bests."