Toronto Croatia defeated SC Waterloo 1-0 to win the CSL Championship at Warrior Stadium, Waterloo Sunday.
Midfielder Oscar Cordon struck the only goal of the game at 46 minutes, a low drive from 12 yards that left little opportunity for Waterloo goalkeeper Imad Hakura to make the save. The Toronto team also found the net 12 minutes into the game, but the goal was ruled offside.
It was a well-played defensive encounter with few scoring chances throughout. The championship victory was number 10 for Toronto Croatia since entering the league in 1956 and the third during the past five years, winning in 2011 and 2012.
“It was defensive for sure, but we wanted this one, maybe more than our opposition and that’s what made the difference,” said Velimir Crljen, coach of Toronto Croatia following the game.
Toronto Croatia finished second in the standings in the regular season, SC Waterloo end in fourth spot of 12 teams in the CSL First Division.
Toronto Croatia:
Josip Keran, Sven Arapovic, Andres Fresenga, Tomislav Zadro, Halburto Harris, Hayden Fitizwilliams, Shawn Brown, Jure Glavina, David Alva, Ainsley Deer, Pero Menalo, Darren Chambers, Ivan Cutura, Christian Maraldo, Anes Handanovic, Oscar Cordon, Amir Hosic, Faris Efendic. Head Coach: Vladimir Crljen, Assistant Coach: Milodrag Akamazdic, Assistant Coach: Tom Granic, Manager: Ivan Kulis.
SC Waterloo:
Imad Hakura, Thomas Sackor, Nemanja Simeunovic, Zachary Ellis-Hayden,Vladimir Zelenbaba, Terrell Christian, Mirza Colic, Mohammad-Ali Heydarpour, Ranko Golijanin, Ramon Bailey, Adis Hasecic, Aleksander Stojiljkovic, Slobodan Milanovic. Ryan Paumier, Branko Gavric, Dzenan Karic, Mladen Zeljkovic, Edward Syllie. Head Coach: Lazo Dzepina, Manager: Vojislav Brisevac.
CSL CHAMPIONSHIP – SUMMARY
Quarterfinals
Serbian White Eagles 1, London City 0
SC Waterloo 2, Toronto Atomic FC 0
York Region Shooters 4, Burlington SC 2
Toronto Croatia 4, Milton SC 0
Semifinals
SC Waterloo 3, Serbian White Eagles 2
Toronto Croatia 3, York Region Shooters 2
Final
Toronto Croatia 1, SC Waterloo 0
CSL SECOND DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
In the first game of a double header, Milton SC reserves scored a 3-1 extra time victory over SC Waterloo reserves for the CSL Second Division Championship.
Forward Edward Syllie opened the scoring for Waterloo reserves at the 47th minute for 1-0 score at the break.
Danny Jirta tied the score1-1 at 88 minutes for Milton, a 1-1 tie at the end of regulation time.
Adnan Smajic put Milton into a 2-1 lead at 91 minutes and Lucky Maghori increased the lead to 3-1 at 16 minutes of extra time, and the score remained 3-1 to the final whistle.
CSL SECOND DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP – SUMMARY
Quarterfinals
Brantford Galaxy B 1, Burlington SC B 0
SC Waterloo B 5, Serbian White Eagles B 0
Milton SC B 6, Toronto Atomic FC B 0
York Region Shooters B 4, Niagara United B 4 EXTRA TIME
Niagara United B won on penalty kicks.
Semifinals
SC Waterloo B 5, Niagara United B 1
Milton SC B 3, Brantford Galaxy B 0
Final
Milton SC B 3, SC Waterloo B 1