Stan Adamson

PICTURE: FC Vorkuta won the ProSound  Cup on October 23, which followed an undefeated run to capture the league title. Vorkuta will now meet the winner of the upcoming semi-final between Scarborough SC and Serbian White Eagles in a bid for the CSL Championship………………………………………………

A CSL Championship semi-final is scheduled for this coming Saturday, October 30, the first of two games remaining in the Canadian Soccer League 2021 season.

Scarborough SC will meet Serbian White Eagles at Centennial Stadium Saturday, a 3 pm kickoff and the winner will meet the current CSL champions, FC Vorkuta, for the 2021 championship set for Sunday, November 7, also a 3 pm kickoff.

The CSL Championship on November 7 ends the 2021 season of league competition, the ProSound Cup Final, and the CSL Championship.

The first two titles (the league competition and the ProSound Cup) were won by FC Vorkuta.

Summary to date:

CSL League title winner: FC Vorkuta. Runner-up: Scarborough SC

ProSound Cup winner: FC Vorkuta. Runner-up: Scarborough SC

CSL Championship Semi-final: Scarborough SC vs Serbian White Eagles – Saturday, October 30  3 pm

CSL Championship Final: Scarborough SC  or Serbian White Eagles  vs FC Vorkuta – Sunday, Nov. 7  3pm

There will be an admission charge of $10 for Saturday’s semi-final and fans are reminded that as an outdoor activity, all Canadian Soccer League games at Centennial Stadium are not affected by the Ontario government regulation to implement the proof of vaccination requirements that went into effect on September 22. There will be no request for proof of vaccination or identity for entry.

Provincial health protocol is still in effect and spectators are required to wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to an exemption. While seated in the stadium, the face mask can be removed.  Physical distancing is required.

Stan Adamson

 

 

PICTURE: Vorkuta captain Liubomyr Halchuk and a jubilant FC Vorkuta have been presented the ProSound Cup by Filippo Cosentino of Pro Sound Hearing Services following a 4-2 penalty kick victory over Scarborough SC at Centennial Stadium Sunday. PHOTO: Michael Heuthe, Ocean Fog Productions……………………

It didn’t need goals to be a match worth watching.  It was 120 minutes of Scarborough vs  FC Vorkuta without a goal being scored, a thrilling event that belies the theory that to be attractive soccer the fans must see goals being scored and the more the better.

Goals were scored eventually, as penalty kicks, following the 90 minutes of regulation time and 30 minutes of extra time in an otherwise scoreless, well-played match, with good pace throughout. The ProSound Cup Final at Centennial Stadium Sunday was won by FC Vorkuta , a 4-2 penalty kick decider to add to the regular season league title won at the end of an abbreviated pandemic-restricted regular season two-month campaign.

There were a number of close calls during the 120 minutes. More from Scarborough than from Vorkuta which gave the Toronto east end team a slight edge throughout.

In the early stages, Scarborough midfielder Vladimir Zelenbaba drove the ball over the bar from 35 yards after just nine minutes, while late in the match forward Taha Ilyass struck the woodwork at 19 minutes of overtime. Scarborough had several  opportunities in-between, but goalkeeper Anatoli Starushchenko, considered by some to be Vorkuta’s best player this night, was a big reason one or two Scarborough efforts failed to find the net.

After 120 minutes, Scarborough failed on the first and fourth penalty kicks, with Marco Johansen and Camaal Reid finding the net on numbers two and three. Vorkuta scorers from the spot were Liubomyr Halchuk, Sergii Ivliev, Iaroslav Solonynko and Vadym Gostiev.

The finalists have been competing fiercely with each other for top honours during  the past three seasons following a period when Vorkuta held a near dominance since entering the CSL in 2017. Vorkuta has won three regular season league titles (2017, 2019 and 2021), two CSL Championship titles (2018 and 2020) and now the ProSound Cup. Vorkuta also took Second Division honours with its reserve team in 2018 and 2019.  Scarborough captured the CSL Championship in 2019, the First Division title in 2020 and were CSL Championship finalists three times, 2017, 2018, 2020.

With three titles up for grabs this brief season, Vorkuta has taken two. The third title, the 2021 CSL Championship, is next.

Vorkuta coach Victor Raskov was elated following Sunday’s victory. “This was a very difficult game for us, difficult to win but we played well and I think deserved to win,” he said. A disappointed  Scarborough head coach Mirko Medic was more philosophical, saying “That’s the way the game goes sometimes, we played well enough to win, but there were missed chances to score, but I think we played a good game,” he said.

FC VORKUTA: Anatoli Starushchenko (Goalkeeper),  Illia Pitenko (Defender),  Bogdan Borovskyi (Defender),  Jesus Eduardo Compean Gonzalez (Midfielder), Liubomyr Halchuk (Defender), Oleksandr Alieksieiev (Defender), Pavlo Chornomaz (Midfielder), Sergii Ivliev (Midfielder)Serhii Melnyk (Midfielder),  Serhii Ursulenko (Midfielder),  Vadym Gostiev (Midfielder).

Substitutes: Andrei Clurchin (Goalkeeper), Cannes Choy (Midfielder), Hlib Kiselov (Defender), Iaroslav Solonynko (Midfielder) 61 minutes, Leonid Husak (Defender), Pavlo Shulhan (Defender), Valerii Yarmosh (Midfielder) 70 minutes..

Head Coach and Club Official:  Andrei Malychenko, Assistant Coach: Viktor Raskov

SCARBOROUGH SC: Aubrey Lowe (Goalkeeper), Camaal Reid (Midfielder), Gonzalo Matias Cabrera Celis (Forward), Jordan Webb (Midfielder), Marco Johansen (Defender), Milos Scepanovic (Forward). Misel Klisara (Defender), Odein Simpson (Defender), Sven Arapovic (Defender), Taha Ilyass (Forward), Vladimir Zelenbaba (Midfielder).

Substitutes: Aleksander Zwierzynski (Forward) , Edgar Aswaldo Osorio Rios (Defender) 117 minutes, Hasan Abdul (Midfielder), Kiril Dimitrov (Forward), Lukas Risto (Defender), Marvin Morgan (Forward) 57 minutes,  Moussa Limane (Midfielder), Neven Radakovic (Forward) 57 minutes, Stefan Nikolic (Midfielder) 109 minutes, Vladimir Dragicevic (Goalkeeper), Zoran Knezevic (Midfielder) 65 minutes.

Head Coach: Mirko Medic, Assistant Coach: Vladimir Dragicevic, Club Official: Kiril Dimitrov.

Match Officials: REFEREE: Timur Qayoumi; ASSISTANT REFEREES: Faris Efendic, Edward Brown; 4^th OFFICIAL: Niroban Jayaakumar

Venue: Centennial Stadium, Toronto    

 

Stan Adamson

It will take more than the crystal ball to forecast the winner of the ProSound Cup final between FC Vorkuta and Scarborough SC set for Centennial Stadium this coming Sunday.

No amount of play by play analysis, match statistical data, expert opinions or  surveys will give even a hint of how the match will develop and only the very brave will forecast a result.

Both teams ended the regular season undefeated. It was a 1-1 draw when the teams met on September 25.

History might give FC Vorkuta an edge, after the team with a name from a community close to the arctic circle in northern Russia started playing for almost a decade in the comfortable confines of Toronto amateur soccer before in 2017 taking a bold step into the tough professional Canadian Soccer League.

The move, taken by Russian immigrants Samad Kadirov and Toronto lawyer Igor Demitchev, met with unprecedented success. An opening game in the team’s inaugural 2017 season produced a winning 7-0 result, leading a to a season-end First Division title, followed by a CSL Championship victory the following year to cause a distinct buzz in the soccer community. The titles have kept coming and the Vorkuta buzz continues.

Scarborough SC has taken an earlier and different path to success in the CSL since former Waterloo Region player Kiril Dimitrov became the driving force to return professional soccer to the east Toronto community. Dimitrov did that in 2014 after starting his professional career in his native Bulgaria, came to Canada to sign for the CSL’s Serbian White Eagles in 2009 and was transferred to SC Waterloo in 2014. Then came the launch of Scarborough in the CSL.

Scarborough kicked off its new venture in 2015, to make gradual step by step progress  which included championship finals in 2017, 2018 and 2020 and  winning the CSL Championship in 2019. A First Division league title also came in 2020.

As with FC Vorkuta, these achievements by Scarborough in such a short time span have been remarkable entries in the historic records of a league that stretches back 86 years.

Perhaps coaching, those crucial tactical and player decisions during the match, will decide the winner of the inaugural ProSound trophy. Both clubs have been blessed with good coaching skills and much credit must go to Samad Kadirov, who has now departed from the organization after steering the team through many victories from the touch line.

Denys Yanchuk’s strong role in the FC Vorkuta success story and Sunday’s match should not be underestimated. Victor Raskov may be charged with giving the team direction in the final.

Head coach Ricardo Munguia Perez was prominent early for Scarborough SC, but the successful seasons had Kiril Dimitrov, Krum Bibishkov and Zoran Rajovic all involved in the technical and coaching side of the organization until Mirko Medic assumed the head coach role this season. Medic is recognized for his strong play on defence mostly for Serbian White Eagles in the CSL and was voted CSL Defender of the Year in 2009 and in 2016 was appointed manager. His presence with Scarborough on Sunday is considered a strong factor for the east Toronto side.

It  should be spectacular is the only safe forecast.

Stan Adamson

   

The ProSound Cup Final will be played at Centennial Stadium on Sunday, October 24, a 7 pm kickoff. There will be an admission charge of $10.

 Fans are reminded that as an outdoor activity, all Canadian Soccer League games at Centennial Stadium are not affected by the Ontario government regulation to implement the proof of vaccination requirements that went into effect on September 22. There will be no request for proof of vaccination or identity for entry.

   Spectators are required to wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to an exemption. While seated in the stadium, the face mask can be removed.  Physical distancing is required.

 

 

 

There was plenty of drama in both post season playoff semi-finals for the ProSound Cup played at Centennial Stadium Sunday.

It turned out to be a cliffhanger of precipitous proportions for FC Vorkuta, a match for which they would be forgiven if accused of a catch-up exhaustion  before handing over the ProSound Cup semi-final decision to a determined Serbian White Eagles leading 1-0 on a goal by midfielder Marko Stajic at the 66^th minute mark.  Serbian White Eagles held the advantage for most of the second half and at the late stages when it appeared just a matter of the sound of referee Ramee Arbaji’s final whistle to eliminate Vorkuta and put White Eagles into the cup final the following Sunday.

But with little time left,  it all changed quickly when White Eagles’ goalkeeper John Trye, reaching for a dangerous high ball came crashing down on the six-yard line. The Sierra Leone international   6’ 4” keeper was taken off the field with almost no time remaining to be replaced by substitute goalkeeper Nikola Postic. Seconds later Postic faced a free kick on the edge of the box that led to a pass for Vorkuta midfielder Sergii Ivliev to push the ball inside the post, and the match was tied 1-1.

With just seconds to the whistle signaling 30 minutes of extra time, a partial clearance in the White Eagles’ defense then gave Vorkuta midfielder Pavlo Chornomaz the opportunity for a snap shot from 35 yards which turned into a picture 2-1 winning goal and a final whistle while the ball lay in the back of the net.

The second semi-final at Centennial Stadium also turned into a thriller with every chance the visiting Atletico Sporting Toronto had shown enough in a turbulent 1-1 draw on October 2 to take Sunday’s playoff with Scarborough one step further and notch a victory.

The match was attractive and furious at times while Atletico held Scarborough to a scoreless tie throughout the 90 minutes and into 30-minutes of overtime. While Scarborough had an edge with greater possession, the outcome could have gone either way until Scarborough midfielder Camaal Reid headed into the net out of reach of Atletico ‘keeper Rene Figueroa for a 1-0 lead five minutes into overtime.

Both sides had chances to score moving further into overtime, but Scarborough sealed the win to advance to the final with a strike by forward Taha Ilyass. That left just two minutes remaining  and a 2-0 victory and place in the final for the Toronto east side team.

The ProSound Cup Final will be reminiscent of the CSL Championship Final between FC Vorkuta and Scarborough SC played October 17, 2020 which ended with  a 2-1 championship victory by FC Vorkuta.

The upcoming ProSound Cup Final will be played at Centennial Stadium on Sunday, October 24, a 6.30 pm kickoff. There will be an admission charge of $10.

Fans are reminded that as an outdoor activity, all Canadian Soccer League games at Centennial Stadium are not affected by the Ontario government regulation to implement the proof of vaccination requirements that went into effect on September 22. There will be no request for proof of vaccination or identity for entry.

Spectators are required to wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to an exemption. While seated in the stadium, the face mask can be removed.  Physical distancing is required.

 

Stan Adamson

 

 

With the Canadian Soccer League completing its regular season on October 9, the league enters into the post-season playoffs in two stages with the beginning of the ProSound Cup playoffs on Sunday, October 17, to be followed by the playoffs for the CSL Championship late October. The CSL championship final will be scheduled for early November.

The inaugural ProSound Cup will kickoff with four eligible teams going directly to the semifinal stage on Sunday. They are FC Vorkuta vs Serbian White Eagles at 4 pm to be followed by Scarborough SC vs Atletico Sporting Toronto at 6.15 pm. Both matches at Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke, Ontario.

The CSL Championship is open to the permanent members of the CSL with FC Vorkuta the current defending champions  following a 2-1 victory over Scarborough SC at Racco Park on October 17, 2020.

Of the current CSL teams, FC Vorkuta has won twice during the past decade (2018 and 2020), Scarborough once (2019) and Serbian White Eagles once (2016).

As an outdoor activity, all Canadian Soccer League games at Centennial Stadium are not affected by the Ontario government regulation to implement the proof of vaccination requirements that went into effect on September 22. There will be no request for proof of vaccination or identity for entry.

Spectators are allowed into Centennial Stadium for the Sunday, October 17 semi-final  double header, with a day pass available at the entrance for $10.

Spectators are required to wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to an exemption. While seated in the stadium, the face mask can be removed.  Physical distancing is required.

 

Stan Adamson

 

 

 

 

 

A victory by FC Vorkuta over EURU Academy at Centennial Stadium Saturday, October 9, will clinch the league title for Vorkuta in regular season matches leading to the playoffs in pursuit of the ProSound Cup.

A revised 4 pm kickoff time for the FC Vorkuta vs. EURU Academy has been announced following a postponement of the Scarborough SC vs St. Catharines Hrvat match originally scheduled for a 2 pm kickoff and followed in the original schedule by Atletico Sporting Toronto vs Toronto Tigers at 4 pm and EURU Academy vs FC Vorkuta at 6 pm. The revised schedule for Saturday is now a double-header:

2 pm Atletico Sporting Toronto vs Toronto Tigers

4 pm EURU Academy vs FC Vorkuta

The Scarborough SC vs St. Catharines Hrvat game was postponed due to a COVID-19 exposure of a number of St. Catharines Hrvat players at an event not associated with the team’s games in the Canadian Soccer League. The players have followed all official health protocol measures including quarantine which ends on Sunday, October 10. The Scarborough SC vs St,Catharines Hrvat match has been placed in default in favour of Scarborough SC.

There will be one game to be played to complete the regular season following Saturday’s double header, the remaining BGHC1 vs St. Catharines Hrvat clash is tentatively set for Tuesday, October  12 and the playoff schedule will be announced during the week.

As an outdoor activity, all Canadian Soccer League games at Centennial Stadium are not affected by the Ontario government regulation to implement the proof of vaccination requirements that went into effect on September 22. There will be no request for proof of vaccination or identity for entry. A limited number of spectators are allowed into Centennial Stadium for the Saturday, October 9 end of regular season double header, with a full day pass available at the entrance for $10.

Spectators are required to wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to an exemption. While seated in the stadium, the face mask can be removed.  Physical distancing is required.

Stan Adamson

Serbian White Eagles defeated EURU Academy 2-1, BGHC 1  beat Toronto Tigers 2-0, and Atletico Sporting Toronto held Scarborough to a turbulent 1-1 draw, three  games in the ProSound Cup competition played at Centennial Stadium Saturday. The St. Catharines Hrvat vs FC Vorkuta match scheduled as the opener in a 4-game program, was postponed.

Vladimir Strizovic scored from the penalty spot for Serbian White Eagles following a foul in the box at 55 minutes, his fifth goal of the season, and Elton Nyumak equalized for EURU Academy three minutes later. Strizovic assisted in the winning goal for Serbian White Eagles, crossing the ball in front of Academy goalkeeper Ryan Cola when Academy defender John Cordiero mis-kicked the ball into his own net for an o.g, and a 2-1 win for Serbian White Eagles.

BGHC1 defender Petar Djordjevic  beat Toronto Tigers’ goalkeeper Henrique Bortolami Soler  to open the scoring at the 33^rd minute mark and Luka Jankovic struck to increase the BGHC1 lead to 2-0 at the 72 minutes, the score at the final whistle.

There were few goals but an abundance of action throughout between Atletico Sporting Toronto and Scarborough SC in the late game which turned into a rough and tumble  affair leading to three players being shown the red card in the final stages.

A tripping incident in the penalty box resulted in referee Cyrus Eshafi pointing to the penalty spot for the goal scored by Scarborough defender Lucas Risto at 35 minutes. Midfielder Victor Machado equalized for Atletico Sporting Toronto at 71 minutes in a play that started with a cross from the right wing and Machado moved in from the left to beat Scarborough goalkeeper  Aubrey Lowe from 10 yards.

A physical, chippy encounter ensued as both teams fought for the winning goal and a series of cautions on the field and at the bench were given out which eventually late in the second half led to Jose Rivera of Atletico Sporting Toronto and Scarborough players Gonzalo Matias Cabrera Celis and Lucas Risto all being shown the red card for Violent Conduct. It was 1-1 at the final whistle.

October 9 – End of Regular Season

Saturday, October 9 will mark the end of the regular season except for any postponed games that will be played during the week following. Three games are scheduled for October 9 with the opener at 2 pm when Scarborough SC host St. Catharines Hrvat, to be followed  by Atletico Sporting Toronto vs Toronto Tigers at 4 pm and EURU Academy vs. FC Vorkuta at 6 pm.

ProSound Cup Playoffs

With the regular season ending on October 9, the playoffs for the ProSound Cup will be underway with the first round quarter-finals on October 17, the semi-finals will be played on October 24 and the ProSound Cup Final is set for Saturday, October 30.

As announced earlier, the bottom two teams in the final standings are eliminated and the top two teams in the final standings gain a bye to the semi-finals. In the first round (quarter-finals) four teams in positions 3,4,5,6 will play 3 vs 6 and 4 vs 5.

The top team in the final league standings will play the surviving team that finished in the lowest position in the final standings and the second team in the final league standings will play the other surviving team.

Health Advisory

As an outdoor activity all Canadian Soccer League games at Centennial Stadium are not affected by the Ontario government regulation to implement the proof of vaccination requirements that went into effect on September 22. There will be no request for proof of vaccination or identity for entry.

A limited number of spectators are allowed into Centennial Stadium for the three games end of regular season on a full day pass available at the entrance for $10. Spectators are required to wea r a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to an exemption. While seated in the stadium, the face mask can be removed.  Physical distancing is required.

 

Stan Adamson

 

 

Toronto Tigers took an important step up to fourth in the standings with a 2-0 defeat of Serbian White Eagles in the only match played in the ProSound  Cup competition Tuesday.

The Toronto team jumped into an early lead at the 3 minute mark on a goal by forward Jorge Pereira Silva who headed in past White Eagles’ goalkeeper John Trye for a 1-0 lead which held to half-time.

Serbian White Eagles pressed for an equalizer into the second half, but it was Toronto Tigers that eventually scored to secure the 2-0 victory when Leandro Rodrigues Suher Jr. found the net off the post following a clearance by Trye which was returned for Suher to score from close in at  the 89th minute mark.

Toronto Tigers now have a 3-2-0 WLT record for nine points and tied on points for the third spot in the standings with Atletico Sporting Toronto, while Serbian White Eagles suffered its fourth defeat in six games and have a 2-4-0 record for six points in sixth position.

The top six teams in the final standings take part in the playoffs leading to the ProSound Cup Final.

There are four games scheduled for Saturday, October 2 with St. Catharines Hrvat vs league-leading FC Vorkuta in the opening match at 3 pm, Serbian White Eagles are at home to EURU Academy at 5 pm,  Toronto Tigers host BGHC1 at 7 pm and it’s Atletico Sporting Toronto vs Scarborough in the late game at 9.

With the regular season ending on October 9 and the playoffs for the ProSound Cup just two weeks away, the Canadian Soccer League has released a reminder of the playoff match format. As earlier announced, the bottom two teams in the final standings are eliminated and the top two teams in the final standings gain a bye to the semi-finals. In the first round (quarter-finals) four teams in positions 3,4,5,6 will play 3 vs 6 and 4 vs 5 on Sunday, October 17. For the semi-finals, the top team in the final league standings will play the surviving team that finished in the lowest position in the final standings and the second team in the final league standings will play the other surviving team. Both semi-final games will be played on Sunday, October 24 and the ProSound Cup Final will be played on Saturday, October  30.

HEALTH ADVISORY

As an outdoor activity all Canadian Soccer League games at Centennial Stadium are not affected by the Ontario government regulation to implement the proof of vaccination requirements that went into effect on September 22. There will be no request for proof of vaccination or identity for entry.

A limited number of spectators are allowed into Centennial Stadium for the four games on a full day pass available at the entrance for $10. Spectators are required to wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to an exemption. While seated in the stadium, the face mask can be removed.  Physical distancing is required.

Stan Adamson

 

PICTURE: VLADIMIR STRIZOVIC OPENED THE SCORING FOR SERBIAN WHITE EAGLES.

Serbian White Eagles defeated BGHC  1 by a 2-1 score, FC Vorkuta and Scarborough played to a 1-1 draw and Toronto Tigers beat EURU Academy 2-0, three games in the Canadian Soccer League’s  ProSound Cup at Centennial Stadium Saturday.

Midfielder Vladimir Strizovic opened the scoring for Serbian White Eagles in the opening game, moving from the left wing to find the net past BGHC 1 goalkeeper  Aleksandar  Nikolic at the 20^th minute mark and it was 1-0 at the break. Marko Stajic made it 2-0 one minute into the second half, heading in from two yards. BGHC 1 cut the lead to 2-1 with a picture goal by Vukasin Kovacevic who volleyed from outside the box leaving White Eagles goalkeeper John Trye with no chance to save and it was 2-1 at the final whistle.

It was a highly attractive encounter between FC Vorkuta and Scarborough, both with 100 per cent winning records going into the second game of the afternoon. Serhii Ursulenko opened the scoring for Vorkuta at the 59^th minute mark scoring from the rebound off Scarborough goalkeeper Vladimir Dragicevic. Forward Gonzalo Matias Cabrera Celis struck the equalizer for Scarborough at 71 minutes.

The match was physical throughout resulting in the frequent yellow card shown by referee Ramee Arbaji who kept good control of two teams determined not to be on the losing end. With the 1-1 result Vorkuta conceded its first goal of the campaign, but remain unbeaten and on top of the standings with a 4-0-1WLT record. Scarborough remain unbeaten also with a 4-0-1 record and remain second in the standings.

Toronto Tigers won the night cap with a 2-0 victory over EURU Academy, goals scored in the first half by Douglas dos Santos Luz at the 14^th minute and Nathaniel Springer at 35 minutes. It was Toronto Tigers’ second victory and the win puts the Toronto team in fifth position in the table. EURU Academy remain winless and at the foot of the standings with a 0-5-0 record.

There is one game on Tuesday evening  September 28, with Serbian White Eagles at home to Toronto Tigers, a 9 pm kickoff and this is followed by all teams in action with four games on Saturday, October 2. St. Catharines Hrvat are at home to FC Vorkuta in the 3 pm first game, to be followed by Serbian White Eagles vs EURU Academy at 5 pm. Toronto Tigers meet BGHC 1 at 7 pm and Atletico Sporting Toronto vs Scarborough SC are in the late game, a 9 pm kickoff.

HEALTH ADVISORY

As an outdoor activity, all Canadian Soccer League games at Centennial Stadium are not affected by the Ontario government regulation to implement the proof of vaccination requirements that went into effect on September 22. There will be no request for proof of vaccination or identity for entry.

A limited number of spectators are allowed into Centennial Stadium for the four games on a day pass available at the entrance for $10. Spectators are required to wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to an exemption. While seated in the stadium, the face mask can be removed.  Physical distancing is required.

Stan Adamson

 

Midfielder Wabila Wallace struck twice in the first half yet again, this time leading Atletico Sporting Toronto to a decisive 3-0 victory over St. Catharines Hrvat in the only game played in the Canadian Soccer League’s  ProSound Cup competition at Centennial Stadium Friday.

Wallace opened the scoring after 25 minutes with a low drive out of reach of St. Catharines’ goalkeeper Patrick Iwanisik and the Cameroon born striker found the net again four minutes later when Iwanisik misjudged a long ball which allowed Wallace to move in for a 2-0 lead at 29 minutes, the score at the break.

Wallace attracted attention when scoring both goals in the first half of Atletico’s surprise 2-0 defeat of Serbian White Eagles on September 7 and now leads the CSL scoring with six goals.

Midfielder Ameer Jeddi  completed the scoring for Atletico, driving the ball into the top right corner at the 92^nd minute mark for a 3-0 score at the final whistle.

It’s the Toronto side’s third win for a 3-2-0 WLT record for nine points and third in the standings, while St. Catharines Hrvat has a 1-3-0 record with three points in 4^th position.

The CSL league standings represent the first stage of the ProSound Cup competition leading to the playoffs during which the top two teams in the final standings gain a bye to the semi-finals. The quarter-finals will bring together teams 3/6 and 4/5, with the two teams ending the season at the foot of the table being eliminated. For the semi-finals, the top team in the league standings will play the surviving team from the quarter-finals that finished lowest in the table, with the second placed team meeting the remaining surviving team from the quarter-finals.

There are three games scheduled for Saturday, September 25 with BGHC 1 hosting Serbian White Eagles in the opening game at 3 pm, followed at 5 pm by FC Vorkuta vs Scarborough SC, a match that will change the 100 per cent record of one, or possibly both teams if the result is a draw. Toronto Tigers are at home to EURU Academy at 7 pm.

There is one game on Tuesday evening  September 28, with Serbian White Eagles at home to Toronto Tigers, a 9 pm kickoff.

HEALTH ADVISORY

As an outdoor activity all Canadian Soccer League games at Centennial Stadium are not affected by the Ontario government regulation to implement the proof of vaccination requirements that went into effect on September 22. There will be no request for proof of vaccination or identity for entry.

A limited number of spectators are allowed into Centennial Stadium for the three games  on a full day pass available at the entrance for $10. Spectators are required to wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to an exemption. While seated in the stadium, the face mask can be removed.  Physical distancing is required.

 Stan Adamson

PICTURE: On rare occasions all teams in the Canadian Soccer League are in action the same day and Saturday brought together the eight teams taking part in the ProSound Cup competition while bidding for a playoff spot leading to the semifinals and final set for late October. Atletico Sporting Toronto took an early half-time lead in the four-game schedule Saturday, but BGHC 1 overcame the deficit in the second half to win 2-1.

BGHC 1 defeated Atletico Sporting Toronto 2-1 in the opener, midfielder Vladimir Strizovic scored a hat-trick to lift Serbian White Eagles out of an early season losing streak while winning 4-1 over St. Catharines  Hrvat, FC Vorkuta  extended its winning streak to four games with a 3-0 victory over Toronto Tigers and Scarborough also maintained its 100 per cent record with a 2-0 victory over Euru Academy.

Atletico Sporting Toronto took a early lead at the 5 minute mark in the opening game when midfielder Wabila Wallace beat BGHC 1 goalkeeper Ognjen Savic for a 1-0 lead at the break. Aleksandar Nikolic equalized for BGHC 1 at 33 minutes and  Haris Redzepi struck the winner for BGHC 1at the 70^th minute mark. Atletico defender Ademiyi  Ade was shown the red card by referee Steve Serderevic following a second caution called for a reckless challenge.

Serbian White Eagles started on a road to recovery with a 4-1 victory over St. Catharines Hrvat after opening the season with three decisive defeats during which the 2016 Canadian Soccer League champions with a storied past failed to score a goal.  Midfielder Vladimir Strizovic led the White Eagles with a hat-trick following early first half goals by Zoran Rajovic for White Eagles and Jacob Patten for St. Catharines. Strizovic struck at 20 and 26 minutes for a 3-1 Serbian White Eagles lead at the interval. Strizovic added his third for the hat-trick at the 65^th minute mark and a 4-1 score at the final whistle.

FC Vorkuta stretched its winning streak to four games with a 3-0 victory over Toronto Tigers in Saturday’s third game. The current CSL defending champions also kept their record of not conceding a goal in this 2021 season, a 14-0 performance to date. Forward Mykola Temniuk opened the scoring after five minutes for Vorkuta and Sergii Ivliev made it 2-0 at the 24^th minute mark, the score at half time. Midfielder Bogdan Borovskyi completed the scoring for Vorkuta at the 73^rd minute.

Scarborough SC – last season’s CSL championship finalist – has a similar performance with a four-game early season winning streak and has scored 14 goals and conceded just two. The east Toronto side defeated Euru Academy 2-0 in Saturday’s finale. Forward Daylin Martin opened the scoring after just three minutes of play, finding the net past Euru goalkeeper Francis Sadik, and midfielder Moussa Limane struck at 24 minutes for a score that remained to the final whistle.

The ProSound Cup games will resume on Friday, September 24 when St. Catharines Hrvat will be at home to Atletico Sporting Toronto, a 7.45 kickoff. There will be three games the following day on Saturday, September 25 with BGHC 1 hostng Serbian White Eagles at 3pm, followed by the current top teams in the standings, FC Vorkuta  vs Scarborough SC, at 5 pm. Toronto Tigers vs BGHC 1 meet at 7 pm, all games at Centennial Stadium.

A  limited number of spectators are allowed into Centennial Stadium for all thre games on a day pass available at the gate for $10. Spectators are required to wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to an exemption. While seated in the stadium, the face mask can be removed.  Physical distancing is required.

 

Three goals by midfielder Gregor Zugelj lifted St. Catharines Hrvat to a 4-1 victory over Euru Academy in ProSoccer Cup action played at Centennial Stadium, the only match in the Canadian Soccer League Tuesday.

Zugelj struck early with a free kick from 20 yards out of reach of Euru goalkeeper Eric Griffin and Andrej Truyen increased the lead to 2-0 for St. Catharines at the 12th minute mark. Zugelj made it 3-0 for the home side, Ryan Sturdy reduced the lead to 3-1 for Euru before Zugelj completed the hat-trick at 54 minutes for a 4-1 score which held to the final whistle.

The hat-trick moved St. Catharines Hrvat to the team’s first win of the competition following a 2-1 defeat to Toronto Tigers on September 10, while it was the Euru Academy’s third defeat having gone down to BGHC 1 by a 4-2 score on September 4 and a 3-0 result in favour of Atletico Sporting Toronto on September 11.

St. Catharines’ head coach Martin Mamic was pleased with his side’s performance to gain the first win of the competition following a period when the side has been missing several players through injury. “That includes three starters that have not been able to play yet, and our captain,” he said following the final whistle. “I feel 100 per cent confident with our full side we have a chance,” referring to the ProSound  Cup with eight teams competing for playoff spots leading to the semifinal and final late October.

There will be four games this coming Saturday, September 18 with Atletico Sporting Toronto at home to BGHC 1, a 3 pm kickoff, Serbian White Eagles are looking for their first win at home to St. Catharines Hrvat at 5 pm, FC Vorkuta will host Toronto Tigers at 7 pm and Scarborough SC are at home to Euru Academy at 9.

A  limited number of spectators are allowed into Centennial Stadium for all four games on a full day pass available for $10. Spectators are required to wear a mask or face covering in a manner that covers their mouth, nose and chin, unless they are entitled to an exemption. While seated in the stadium, the face mask can be removed.  Physical distancing is required.

 

Stan Adamson