Serbian White Eagles scored a narrow 1-0 victory over London City in the opening game of the CSL Championship quarterfinals Saturday night to advance to the CSL Championship semifinals being played next weekend, leading to the final on October 25.
It was a closely contested playoff encounter at Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke, scoreless at the break and into the second half until Serbian White Eagles midfielder Branislav Vukomanovic took a free kick with pace from 26 yards that left London City goalkeeper Vladimir Markotic helpless and unmoved when it caught the top right corner of the net.
The goal came at 69 minutes, just five minutes after Djorjije Strunjas missed a clear cut opportunity to put Serbian Eagles into the lead earlier. London City also missed an opportunity to score when forward Aldin Kukic shot just wide at 88 minutes with only Serbian White Eagles’ goalkeeper Bojan Vranic to beat and the game ended 1-0.
There was one Second Division championship playoff game Saturday night when SC Waterloo reserves took control of the game against Serbian White Eagles reserves to win 5-0 at Warrior Stadium in Waterloo.
Five scorers accounted for the goals which came from Nikola Miokovic, Mo Ali Heydarpour, Edward Syllie, Kevin Benavides and Johnson Luyiga.
There was one game in the Second Division championship playoffs Friday, when Brantford Galaxy reserves advanced to the semifinals with a 1-0 result over Burlington SC reserves.
For the remaining playoff schedule this Thanksgiving Weekend, there are three games in the CSL Championship quarterfinals and two games in the Second Division quarterfinals Sunday:
CSL CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTERFINALS
Sunday October 11 St Joan of Arc 6 pm York Region Shooters vs Burlington SC
Sunday October 11 Centennial Stadium 7 pm Toronto Croatia vs Milton SC
Sunday October 11 Warrior Field 4 pm SC Waterloo vs Toronto Atomic FC
SECOND DIVISION QUARTERFINALS
Sunday October 11 St Jean Vanier Field 3 pm Milton SC B vs Toronto Atomic FC B
Sunday October 11 St Joan of Arc 8 pm York Region Shooters B vs Niagara United B