October 12/2013
London City scored an upset victory to eliminate York Region Shooters from the CSL Championship playoffs, the first post-season game and the only game played in the Canadian Soccer League Friday.
It was a cliff hanger at the St. Joan of Arc ground at Maple, just north of Toronto, a scoreless tie through to the end of 90 minutes to put the game into 30 minutes of overtime. The best chance to win the game during regulation time came at 63 minutes when York Region were awarded a penalty kick by referee Manuel Orellana, but the spot kick by forward Richard West was saved by London ‘keeper Vladimir Markotic.
The first goal came after 110 minutes of play when London City forward Aldin Kukic beat York Region goalkeeper Emanuelle Ameltonis from eight yards to slot the ball to the right and into the net.
York Region Shooters drew level at 119 minutes when midfielder Mario Orestano took a pass from West to drive the ball past Markotic, a 1-1 tie which took the game to the end of overtime and into penalty kicks.
London scored four while York Region Shooters found the net just twice for a 4-2 London City victory on penalty kicks. The southwestern Ontario side advances to the semifinals to be played during the weekend October 18 to 20. The CSL Championship Final is set for Kalar Park, Niagara Falls on Sunday, November 3.
CSL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFFS
First Division – Quarterfinals
York Region Shooters 1, London City 1 (Extra time)
London City wins 4-2 on penalty kicks
Remaining games this weekend:
First Division – Quarterfinals
Sat, Oct 12 Centennial Stadium, 7 pm Toronto Croatia vs Windsor Stars
Sun, Oct 13 Queen’s West Field 1 pm Kingston FC vs Serbian White Eagles
Mon, Oct 14 Terry Fox Stadium 7 pm Brampton City Utd vs. SC Waterloo
Second Division – Quarterfinals
Sat, Oct.12 Kalar Park 1 pm Niagara United B vs York Region Shooters B
Sat, Oct 12 Hershey Field 7 pm Toronto Croatia B vs Kingston FC B
Sun Oct 13 Hellenic Centre 5 pm London City B vs SC Waterloo B
Sun Oct 13 Club Roma 6 pm St. Catharines Wolves B vs Brampton City Utd B