TIHOMIR MALETIC'S EARLY GOAL MAKES IT AN UNBEATEN 10 FOR TORONTO CROATIA.......Astros impress with 4-0 victory at Portugal FC and Italia Shooters looked the winners in strong second half over Brampton Lions
2009-08-02
Tihomir Maletic - early goal the winner
Toronto Croatia’s unbeaten streak reached 10 games with a 1-0 squeaker over TFC Academy, while North York Astros looked convincing with a 4-0 victory over Portugal FC and Italia Shooters were strong in the second half to defeat Brampton Lions 3-1, three games in the CSL Sunday night.Toronto Croatia forward Tihomir Maletic is proving to be an important reason for his side’s success, he scored just 3 minutes after the kickoff, his fifth of the season and a goal that proved to be the winner in a well-played encounter at Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke.
Maletic struck from 15 yards to beat TFC ‘keeper Soitiri Varlokostas and the goal held up for the remaining 90 minutes, giving Croatia their eighth win and 26 points to again lead the International Division by six points over second place Serbian White Eagles.
Maletic scored the winner in a 1-0 defeat of Brampton Lions on July 5 and struck twice in defeating London City 3-1 on July 24.
TFC Academy have a 3-4-4 record for 13 points following the loss and are third in the National Division.
North York Astros visited Brockton Stadium in Toronto for their impressive 4-0 win over Portugal FC and it was midfielder Diego Maradona who opened the scoring from the penalty spot at 44 minutes. Following a 1-0 score at the interval, newcomer forward Gersi Xhuti made it 2-0 at 53 minutes, Adrian Pena increased the lead to 3-0 five minutes later and forward John Jeung hit the fourth at 90 minutes.
The Astros now have a 2-7-1 record for 7 points in fifth position in the National Division, while Portugal FC have a 2-3-6 record for 12 points and are fourth in the International Division.
Forward Kadian Lecky opened the scoring with a picture goal at the 17th minute mark at Maple, a drive from 17 yards to the right of Brampton goalkeeper Kevin Doyle, but midfielder Alex Arbello squared the game at 1-1 when he beat Shooters’ goalkeeper Camilo Benzi with a low shot right on half-time.
Midfielder Johan Carrera scored for Italia five minutes into the second half and Jordan Webb made it 3-1 with a drive in the top right corner at 68 minutes to give the home side a deserved win following some dominance in the second half.
Italia Shooters have a 5-5-1 record for 16 points and third place in the International Division, while Brampton Lions are at 3-5-2 for 11 points and fourth place in the National Division.
