Kingston FC may be finding each game a greater challenge as the season moves through the CSL playoffs, but it’s a sure bet head coach Colm Muldoom has factored that into his way of negotiating the difficult path that leads to the overall CSL Championship.
For the group that boasts the first professional soccer team to play out of the picturesque eastern Ontario community, it has not been an easy journey and Sunday’s 2-1 victory over a Serbian White Eagles, winner of the trophy in 2008 with experienced players seasoned in European soccer, it was no exception.
It was a squeaker, a scoreless first half with a Kingston goal by midfielder Nathan Klemencic six minutes into the second half cancelled out by a Serbian Eagles goal by midfielder Stefan Racic just two minutes from the final whistle.
The game went into 30 minutes of extra time and while the home side had a decided edge in the second half, there was no guarantee that would continue.
Muldoon understood some time ago it would probably take other players to sustain the earlier success attributable to striker Guillaume Surot, Jason Massie and Catalin Lichioiu, a trio to account for 47 goals during the regular season.
Holding a 1-1 precarious tie, the Irishman brought in Kihara Waiganjo to replace Klemencic – the opening goalscorer – and after 10 minutes of overtime the talented 25 year-old headed in the game winner just three minutes after stepping on the field. The 2-1 lead held until the final whistle.
“Basically, our team delivered a performance, created many chances which we should’ve finished to make the game easier,” Muldoon said. “Our conditioning took over, [we] created more chances but it just wouldn’t go in for us – we hit the wood work numerous times. We made our own fortune and we got what we deserved in the end.”Kingston FC has announced its CSL Championship semifinal game against London City will be played on Sunday, October 20 at the Queen’s West Field, a 6.30 pm kickoff.
CSL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFFS – SUMMARYQuarterfinals – First DivisionKingston FC 2, Serbian White Eagles 1 (Extra time)Saturday’s game:Toronto Croatia 2, Windsor Stars 0 (Extra time)Friday’s game:York Region Shooters 1, London City 1 (Extra time)London City wins 4-2 on penalty kicksQuarterfinals – Second DivisionBrampton City Utd B 5, St. Catharines Wolves B 3SC Waterloo B 3, London City B 1Saturday’s games:Toronto Croatia B 2, Kingston FC B 1York Region Shooters B 2, Niagara United B 2 (Extra time)(York Region Shooters B wins on penalty kicks)Remaining quarterfinal games this weekend: Quarterfinals – First DivisionMon, Oct 14 Terry Fox Stadium 7 pm Brampton City Utd vs. SC WaterlooThe semifinals will be:First Division – The CSL ChampionshipKingston FC vs London CityToronto Croatia vs Brampton City Utd or SC WaterlooSecond DivisionToronto Croatia B vs York Region Shooters BBrampton City Utd B vs SC Waterloo B
Canadian Professional Soccer League