Serbian White Eagles took a 1-0 lead on a well-placed free kick by forward Sasa Viciknez at the 18th minute mark, his sixth of the season in a close, attractive contest at Centennial Stadium.
Portugal FC were reduced to 10 men when defender Andre Stewart was shown the red card by referee David Barrie at 43 minutes for violent conduct and the first half ended 1-0.
Portugal FC fought back in the second half but Serbian White Eagles added to their score at 81 minutes when forward Alex Braletic cut in from the left wing to beat Portugal FC ‘keeper Mike Silva from close range, making it 2-0 for the home side, a score that held to the final whistle. It was Braletic’s sixth goal of the season.
Serbian White Eagles continue their bid to retain the CSL championship with a 7-1-2 WLT record for 23 points, with 22 of those points earned in eight games since their loss to Toronto Croatia on June 13. Portugal FC stand at 2-4-6 for 12 points.
The game was preceded by a ceremony honoring former Serbian White Eagles centre-forward Mike Stojanovic, a star in the North American Soccer League and Canadian national team player who was inducted into Canada’s Soccer Hall of Fame on June 6.
Attending were several former team-mates of Stojanovic, including Canadian national team players Mike Bakic and Tibor Gemeri. Eagles’ forward Sasa Viciknez presented Stojanevic with the now retired number 9 Serbian White Eagles jersey worn when Stojanevic scored a record 52 goals in the 1974 season.
Italia Shooters opened the scoring when Blake Ordell found the net just four minutes after the kickoff and London City looked like tying it up with missed opportunities by Gentian Buzali and Brian Abidakun, but it was the Shooters that scored at 59 minutes when Mario Orestano scored to make it 2-0, the score at half-time.
Former London City player Kadian Leckie scored three goals at 77, 83 and 87 minutes for Italia Shooters to give the York Region team a 5-0 victory.
Italia Shooters are at 6-5-1 for 19 points for third place in the International Division, while London City are at the foot of the National Division with an 0-9-2 record
Remaining games in the CSL this weekend are:
Saturday, August 8
Esther Shiner Stadium 3 pm North York Astros vs. Brampton Lions
Trois-Rivieres 7 pm Trois-Rivieres Attak vs. TFC Academy
Sunday, August 9
Centennial Stadium 8.15 pm Toronto Croatia vs. St. Catharines Wolves
