FC UKRAINE UNITED AND FC VORKUTA SQUEAK THROUGH TO SEMIFINALS
Top team FC Ukraine United and runner-up FC Vorkuta were favoured to win their CSL Championship quarterfinal playoff on Sunday and both came through as expected.
But it was tough going for Ukraine United at Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke as the First Division title winner eked out a penalty kicks win over Brantford Galaxy (8th in the league table) after going scoreless for 90 minutes, then 30 minutes of overtime. Ukraine United eliminated the Galaxy 8-7 from the spot. Ukraine United lost defender Ivan Kucherenko who was ejected following a second caution during extra time.
While Vorkuta won in regulation time, it was a 2-1 squeaker. “A hard-fought victory,” as described by team manager Samad Kadirov.
Real Mississauga fought throughout against Vorkuta at the Soccer Centre Stadium in Vaughan, despite the team’s lowly 7th position in the standings.
For a while with the score tied 1-1 an upset became a real possibility before midfielder Iaroslav Solonynko struck the winner for the home side.
Ihor Melnyk gave Vorkuta a 1-0 first half lead and Real Mississauga’s player-coach Krum Bibishkov tied the score from the penalty spot just before the interval.
FC Ukraine United will now host Scarborough SC and FC Vorkuta will be at home to SC Waterloo in the semifinals, to be played the weekend October 5 – 7.
CSL CHAMPIONSHIP TO DATE
Quarterfinals
SC Waterloo 2, Serbian White Eagles 1
Scarborough SC 4, Hamilton City 1
FC Ukraine United 0, Brantford Galaxy 0 (after extra time) FC Ukraine United won 8-7 on penalty kicks
FC Vorkuta 2, Real Mississauga 1
Semifinals
Ukraine United vs Scarborough SC
FC Vorkuta vs SC Waterloo
CSL SECOND DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
Semifinals
FC Vorkuta B vs Brantford Galaxy B
Halton United B vs Scarborough SC B
All semifinal venues will be announced early the week October 1, the games to be completed by Sunday, October 7.
The CSL Second Division Championship Final will kickoff at 1 pm and the CSL Championship Final 3 pm, both games at Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke on Saturday, October 13.