SC Waterloo advanced to the CSL Championship Final with a penalty kicks victory over Toronto Croatia following an extra time 1-1 tie at Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke Saturday night. Toronto Croatia won the championship in 2012.
It was a well-played encounter throughout the 90 minutes plus 30 minutes of extra time before Drazen Vukovic chipped the winning penalty down the middle and just under the bar to give Waterloo a 5-4 edge in kicks from the spot.
It was Vukovic who scored Waterloo’s opening goal at 54 minutes following a scoreless first half, the veteran forward driving a free kick from just outside the box past Toronto Croatia goalkeeper Antonio Ilic for the 1-0 lead.
Toronto Croatia equalized with a well-taken goal by Hayden Fitzwilliams who connected while closing in with pace to the right of the Waterloo goal to slot the ball just inside the post well out of reach of Waterloo goalkeeper Imad Hakura.
Toronto Croatia missed the first penalty, with all remaining spot kicks finding the net and the last one, taken by Vukovic, winning the game.
SC Waterloo, a side which gained in strength as the regular season games progressed and attracted attention particularly when scoring 18 goals without conceding one in the three games prior to Saturday’s victory, will meet the winner of the Kingston FC vs. London City semifinal being played Sunday.
In Saturday’s Second Division Championship semifinals, Toronto Croatia B defeated York Region Shooters B 2-0 at the Hershey Field in Mississauga on first half goals by forward Josip Stanic and midfielder Peter Vidovic, while at the Terry Fox Stadium in Brampton, SC Waterloo B scored four second half goals to defeat Brampton City Utd 5-1. Scorers were Mohamed Diaby for Brampton, while Ed Syllie struck twice for SC Waterloo, Stefan Brisevac, Mohamed Aborig and Erwin Uzunovic each scored singles.
Remaining game this weekend:
CSL Championship Playoffs – First Division Semifinal
Sunday, October 20 Queen’s West Field, Kingston 6.30 pm Kingston FC vs London City
The CSL Championship Finals – Sunday, November 3, Kalar Park, Niagara Falls
12 noon – Second Division Championship – Toronto Croatia B vs SC Waterloo B
2.30 pm – The CSL Championship – Kingston FC or London City vs SC Waterloo