Toronto Atomic FC moved into second place in the standings with a 2-0 victory over Burlington SC, the only game in the CSL First Division Saturday night, while earlier in the day Toronto Croatia completed its games on a winning note at the Croatian World Club Championship by defeating Canberra Croatia of Australia 3-0. The win gave Toronto third position in the eight-team tournament.
Midfielder Stas Honcharuk opened the scoring for Toronto Atomic at Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke, he found the net at 11 minutes for a 1-0 lead at half-time, and this was followed by a goal by Oleksandr Semeniuk who put the home side ahead 2-0 at the 75th minute mark. It was 2-0 final score and Semeniuk’s 7th goal of the season.
Roberto Galle, Marin Vučemilović-Grgic and Tihomir Maletic were the goalscorers for Toronto Croatia in the 3-0 defeat of the Australian side Canberra Croatia at Zagreb Saturday afternoon, to wrap-up the championship games for the Toronto side. The win gives Toronto Croatia third place in the tournament, which has an upcoming final between Vojvodanski Hrvati of Serbia and Pajde Mohlin of Switzerland to be played.
There were three games in the CSL Second Division Saturday:
Serbian White Eagles jumped to the top of the CSL First Division with a 2-0 victory over Brantford Galaxy and Scarborough SC came back from a 1-0 half-time deficit to win their second game of the season, a 2-1 home defeat of SC Waterloo, two games in the CSL Friday.
Following a hard-fought scoreless first half, midfielder Milos Ljubenovic opened the scoring for Serbian White Eagles at the 68 minute mark at Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke and Marko Krasic made it 2-0 at 81 minutes, the score at the final whistle. It was Ljubenovic’s third goal of the season.
The win improved the Serbian Eagles’ record to 5-1-3 WLT for 18 points and top position in the standings, followed by Toronto Croatia in second spot.
Drazen Vukovic scored his 4 goal of the season to put the visiting SC Waterloo one-up at the 13 minute mark at Downsview Park in north Toronto and it was 1-0 at the break.
Forward Jose Melo equalized for Scarborough, he took a cross from Dimitar Kostourkov to find the net at 60 minutes and midfielder Jose De Sousa struck the winner – his 8 goal of the season – collecting a pass from Dobrin Orlovski at the 80 minute to give the home side a 2-1 victory.
Scarborough improve to a 2-2-4 record for 10 points in the standings.
Toronto Croatia were eliminated from the Croatian World Club Championship, the world tournament of Croatian clubs, following a 2-2 draw with Vojvodanski Hrvati of Serbia Thursday.
Vojvođanski Hrvati of Serbia and Pajde Möhlin of Switzerland will meet in the final after winning their respective groups. Toronto Croatia will now play for the third position in a consolation match with Canberra Croatia of Australia on Saturday, July 4, a 4 pm ET kickoff.
Josip Keran and Jure Glavnia were the goalscorers for Toronto Croatia in the 2-2 tie.
Pajde Möhlin won Group B with a 4-1 victory over Canberra (Australia) and in other results Thursday, Croatia Villefranche beat Sydney United 58 FC (Australia) 6-0 and Croatia Malmö (Sweden) and Croatia Stuttgart (Germany) tied 1-1.
Group A final standings: 1. Vojvođanski Hrvati (Serbia) 7 pts. 2. Croatia Toronto (Canada) 5 pts. 3. Croatia Villefranche (France) 4 pts. 4. Sydney United 58 FC 0 pts.
Group B final standings: 1. Pajde Möhlin (Switzerland) 9 pts. 2. Canberra Croatia (Australia) 4 pts. 3. Croatia Malmö (Sweden) 2 pts. 4. Croatia Stuttgart (Germany) 1 pt.
Toronto Croatia were crowned champions in 2007 and 2011 and were bidding for a third successive title in these games, which are being played at Zagreb.
The Toronto side tied 1-1 with Villefranche of France on Wednesday after an opening 5-2 victory against Sydney United 58 FC.
Defender Josip Keran struck the all-important goal in Zagreb
Toronto Croatia were held to a 1-1 draw by the French side Villefranche Croatia on Wednesday, but went on to win the game on penalty kicks which gives the Toronto team an extra point if needed to advance from the group stage of the Croatian World Club Championship being played at Zagreb, Croatia.
It was a tough encounter in which defender Josip Keran scored to give Toronto Croatia the tie.
Toronto Croatia will now meet Volvodanskih Hrvati, the Croatian side from Serbia on Thursday, July 2 at 4.30 pm Zagreb time, which is 10.30 am ET, the time in Toronto.
Toronto Croatia are in group A with Villefranche Croatia (France), Reprezentacija Vojvođanskih Hrvata (Serbia), Sydney United 58 FC (Australia). Group B consists of Canberra FC (Australia), Croatia Stuttgart (Germany), Nk Pajde Mohlin (Switzerland) and Croatia Malmo(Sweden).
Toronto defeated Sydney United 58 FC 5-2 in the opener on Sunday.
Toronto Croatia defeated Sydney United 58 FC 5-2 in the opener at Zagreb.
Toronto Croatia, fresh of its 5-2 victory over Sydney United on Sunday, will now meet Villefranche Croatia of France in the next round of the Croatian World Club Championship.
The Toronto Croatia vs Villefranche Croatia game will be played on Wednesday, July 1, a 1.30 pm kickoff EST.
The championship takes place every four years and is held this year in the capital city of Zagreb. Teams taking part are: Group A: Toronto Croatia (Canada), Villefranche Croatia (France), Reprezentacija Vojvođanskih Hrvata (Serbia), Sydney United 58 FC (Australia) and Group B: Canberra FC (Australia), Croatia Stuttgart (Germany), Nk Pajde Mohlin (Switzerland), Croatia Malmo(Sweden).
Toronto Croatia won the inaugural Croatian World Club Championship in 2007 and were triumphant again in 2011 to now bid for a third title win.
Toronto Croatia midfielder Amir Hosic scored a hat-trick in the opening 5-2 victory over Sidney United 58 FC on Sunday, while Tihomir Maletic struck two.
SC Waterloo jumped to a tie for first place in the standings with a 2-1 victory over Brampton City Utd, while Brantford Galaxy were also moved near the top with a 2-0 defeat of London City, two games in the Canadian Soccer League First Division Sunday.
There was also an important win for Toronto Croatia Sunday when the league leader defeated Sydney United 58 FC 5-2 in the first round of the Croatian World Club Championship being played at Zagreb, Croatia June 28 – July 5.
Forward Harris Redzepi opened the scoring for the Galaxy at Lions Park in Brantford, he beat London goalkeeper Vladimir Markotic at 72 minutes and forward Zdenko Jurcevic increased the lead to 2-0 at 81 minutes for the home side, a left foot drive from 15 yards that left Markotic little chance for a save. It was 2-0 at the final whistle.
It was goal number 11 for Jurcevic to lead the CSL First Division goalscorers, and the win moved the Galaxy into a tie for second place with Serbian White Eagles in the standings, Brantford now has a 5-3-0 WLT record for 15 points.
Midfielder Brandon Simon gave Brampton City Utd a 1-0 lead at the 30 minute mark in the game with SC Waterloo at Warrior Field.
Drazen Vukovic missed an opportunity to tie the game for Waterloo from the penalty spot early in the second half, but the forward set-up the play for Adis Hasecic to find the net for a 1-1 score at the 60 minute mark and Vukovic struck the winner at 67 minutes, taking a pass from Ramon Bailey to put the ball past Brampton goalkeeper Cristian Montero Valez.
Waterloo held the 2-1 lead until the final whistle and the victory lifted the Southwestern Ontario side to a tie for top spot with Toronto Croatia in the CSL First Division standings. Waterloo has a 5-1-1 record for 16 points.
Toronto Croatia were taking part in the Croatian World Club Championship at Zagreb and in the opening game the CSL side defeated Sydney United 58 FC by a 5-2 score with midfielder Amir Hosic scoring a hat-trick and striker Tihomir Maletic found the net twice.
A third CSL First Division match between Burlington SC and Milton SC scheduled for Sunday at Nelson Stadium in Burlington was postponed due to wet ground conditions, and the Second Division clash between Toronto Croatia B and Serbian White Eagles B was also called off due to soggy conditions at Karlovac Park.
Toronto Croatia readies for world club opener at Zagreb Sunday
Midfielder Amir Hosic with a hat-trick and prolific striker Tihomir Maletic with a pair led Toronto Croatia to a first round 5-2 victory over Sydney United 58 FC in the Croatian World Club Championship played at Zagreb, Croatia Sunday.
The win puts the Toronto team in a favourable position in its bid to capture a third title in a world club competition that launched in 2007 to be played every four years.
Toronto Croatia won the inaugural championship in 2007 and triumphed again in 2011.
Teams taking part in these 2015 games are Toronto Croatia (Canada), Villerfranche Croatia (France), Reprezentacija Vojvođanskih Hrvata (Serbia), Sydney United 58 FC (Australia), Canberra FC (Australia), Croatia Stuttgart (Germany), Nk Pajde Mohlin (Switzerland), Croatia Malmo(Sweden).
The championship is played daily through to July 5.
Two more CSL games have been postponed this weekend with the postponement Sunday of the Burlington SC vs Milton SC First Division match at Nelson Stadium in Burlington and the Toronto Croatia B vs Serbian White Eagles B match scheduled for Karlovac Park.
The following schedule remains for Sunday:
FIRST DIVISION
Sun June 28 Warrior Field 7pm SC Waterloo vs Brampton City Utd
Sun June 28 Lions Park 7 pm Brantford Galaxy vs London City
Sun June 28 Nelson Stadium 8 pm Burlington SC vs Milton SC POSTPONED DUE TO WET GROUND CONDITIONS
SECOND DIVISION
Sun June 28 4 pm Karlovac Park Toronto Croatia B vs Serbian White Eagles B POSTPONED DUE TO WET GROUND CONDITIONS
Two games have been called off due to weather in the Canadian Soccer League on Saturday, both scheduled for the Kalar Sports Park in Niagara Falls.
Both the Second Division match between Niagara United B and York Region Shooters B at 4 pm and the later First Division Niagara United vs York Region Shooters at 7 pm have been postponed due to water on the playing surface.
The one remaining game on Saturday’s schedule, Waterloo B vs Brampton City Utd B, will kickoff at the Warrior Field in Waterloo at 6.15 pm.
Burlington SC B vs Milton SC B was postponed by an earlier league announcement.
SUNDAY’S GAMES:
FIRST DIVISION
Sun June 28 Warrior Field 7 pm SC Waterloo vs Brampton City Utd
Sun June 28 Lions Park 7 pm Brantford Galaxy vs London City
Sun June 28 Nelson Stadium 8 pm Burlington SC vs Milton SC POSTPONED DUE TO WET GROUND CONDITIONS
SECOND DIVISION
Sun June 28 Karlovac Park 4 pm Toronto Croatia B vs Serbian White Eagles B POSTPONED DUE TO WET GROUND CONDITIONS
Djordjije Strunjas opened the scoring for Serbian White Eagles
Toronto Atomic FC defeated Milton SC by a 4-1 score, while in the late game Scarborough SC and Serbian White Eagles played to a 1-1 draw, two games in the Canadian Soccer League Friday night.
Oleksandr Semeniuk opened the scoring for Toronto Atomic FC at the Jean Vanier Field in Milton, a well-placed header from a corner kick that entered the net out of reach of Milton goalkeeper Zoran Pusica, the goal coming at the 17 minute mark for a 1-0 lead at the interval.
Semeniuk increased the lead to 2-0 for Toronto Atomic at the 38 minute mark, the goal coming under similar circumstances, heading the ball into the net off a corner kick.
Midfielder Radovan Ivkovic scored for Milton at 53 minutes, taking a pass to beat Atomic goalkeeper Vasyl Shpuk from close range for a 2-1 score, but midfielder Olekandr Tomakh increased the lead to 3-1 for the visitors at 75 minutes and 7 minutes later forward Mykola Voytsekhovskyy struck the fourth Atomic goal for a 4-1 lead, the score at the final whistle.
It was a chippy affair between Scarborough SC and Serbian White Eagles at Downsview Park which ended in a 1-1 draw on goals by Djorjije Strunjas at 44 minutes for Serbian White Eagles and Jose De Sousa for Scarborough at the 49 minute.
Four players were shown the red card – two from each side – beginning with Serbian Eagles’ defender Mirko Medic at 55 minutes and he was followed by Marc Jankovic of Scarborough at 65 minutes. Milan Kusic of Serbian White Eagles was ejected at 85 minutes and Kiril Dimitrov of Scarborough was sent off three minutes later.
Toronto Croatia bidding to bring the championship trophy toCanada PHOTO: Les Jones – Covershots Inc.
Perhaps you have to be of Croatian descent to fully understand why so much emphasis is placed on success in sports and why athletes from Croatia have enjoyed winning more in the past 50 years than the country’s entire earlier history, a country that today stands 127th in size in the world with less than 4-5 million inhabitants.
Croatian athletes have experienced incredible success at home and abroad.
International Croatian athletes have won 13 world championships and gold medals. They have two from the World Championships in athletics , one in the World Men’s Handball Championship for water polo and rowing . They have six for alpine skiing. They have won the Davis Cup.
It was not until 1992 that Croatia joined the Olympics to take home 23 Summer Olympics medals (6 gold, 7 silver and 10 bronze) and 11 Winter Olympics medals (4 gold, 6 silver and a bronze).
Athletes like Janica Kostelić was one of the best skiers the world, Blanka Vlašić is a former world indoor high jump champion. Check out Marin Čilić and Goran Ivanišević in tennis, and there’s many more.
Children of Croatian immigrants in several countries have shown a remarkable talent to become prominent in sports.
In Canada, Toronto-born skating partners Val and Sandra Bezic won the Canadian Figure Skating Championships from 1970–1974. Let’s not overlook Canadian heavyweight boxing champion George Chuvalo.
U.S.-born George Mikan was once the best basketball player in the NBA. A former World Doubles Champion in table tennis, Zarko Dolinar, is still the only world title holder to hold a doctor of science degree. There’s Roger Maris in baseball.
In soccer, the Croatian national team has become one of the world favourites and now stands 18th of more than 200 countries in the FIFA world rankings.
Canadian soccer fans have not forgotten it was Metros-Croatia, the Toronto professional team formed when Toronto Croatia purchased 50 per cent of a failing Toronto Metros in 1974, that won the North American Soccer Championship in 1976.
The ‘will to win’ of those wearing the distinctive red and white checkers is born of a desire to express a national identity, sought after for generations. Success in soccer may have played lead role, but the tenacious ‘will to win’ attitude is there throughout. Winning has become a means of expression, playing an important part in the recognition of Croatia, particularly over the past 20 – 25 years.
It’s not surprising that there is a Croatian World Club Championship in football (soccer), with Croatian teams from a number of countries coming together every four years to arrive at a Croatian club world champion.
This 2015 is the year, to follow the championship games in 2007 – the inaugural year – and the games of 2011. Toronto Croatia of the Canadian Soccer League won both titles and are bidding for a third during the next few days.
The eight teams are from Australia (2), Canada, France, Germany, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland and in the matches that kickoff at Zagreb, Croatia, on Sunday, June 28, are from two groups:
Group A
Toronto Croatia (Canada)
Villerfranche Croatia (France)
Reprezentacija Vojvođanskih Hrvata (Serbia)
Sydney United 58 FC (Australia)
Group B
Canberra FC (Australia)
Croatia Stuttgart (Germany)
Nk Pajde Mohlin (Switzerland)
Croatia Malmo(Sweden)
Toronto Croatia are again favoured to win. The longest running successful professional club in Canadian professional soccer has won numerous titles since launching in 1956, including the National Soccer League title four years running, 1970-1973, and in recent years has won the Canadian Soccer League championship 2004, 2007, 2011 and 2012. The team from Toronto had several wins in the Croatian National Soccer Federation of Canada and the United States before winning the present world competition in 2007 and 2011.
“It’s our goal to win again this year,” said Toronto Croatia president Joe Pavicic when announcing the competition details.
Toronto Croatia’s opener against Sydney United 58 FC of Australia is at 5.30 pm in Croatia, 11.30 am EST in Canada on Sunday.
The Toronto Croatia team and non-playing staff are: Tihomir Maletic, Josip Keran, Sven Arapovic, Anes Handanovic, Marin Vučemilović-Grgic , Ainsley Deer, Halburto Harris, Shawn Brown, Darren Chambers,
Roberto Galle, David Alva, Christian Maraldo, Michael Filipovic, Amir Hosic, Robert Grnja, Jure Glavnia, Bruno Krstanovic, Borna Vincic, Ivan Pavicic, Marko Koštic, Franjo Delić.
Officials are: Josip Pavicic-President, Velimir Crljen-Head Coach, Milodrag Akamazdic-Assistant Coach, Ivan Kuliš-Manager.
Brampton City Utd scored a decisive 3-1 victory over Brantford Galaxy and York Region Shooters controlled the game against Scarborough SC, winning 4-1, two games in the CSL Sunday.
Forward Jonathan Jebbison scored all three goals for Brampton City Utd in the 3-1 defeat of Brantford Galaxy at the Victoria Park ground in Brampton.
Following a scoreless tie at the break, Jebbison found the net for the home side at the 53 minute mark and he again beat Brantford goalkeeper Luka Besenic for a 2-0 lead at 66 minutes.
Jebbison struck again for his hat-trick at 76 minutes and a 3-0 lead until Zdenko Jurcevic reduced the lead to 3-1, the final score at the end of regulation time.
Defender Marcelo Capozzolo headed in a corner kick to give York Region Shooters a 1-0 lead at the 35 minute at the Joan of Arc ground and that was the score at half-time.
Capozzola again found the net with a header to beat Scarborough goalkeeper Mladen Kukrika at 47 minutes, a 2-0 lead for the home side.
Richard West increased the lead to 3-0 at the 71 minute mark and Scarborough reduced the lead to 3-1 at 81 minutes when midfielder Jose De Sousa beat York Region goalkeeper Emanuelle Ameltonis with a drive from 10 yards.
Shooters’ forward Adrian Pena completed the scoring at 84 minutes for a 4-1 lead, the final score.
There was one game in the CSL Second Division when Brampton City Utd B defeated Brantford Galaxy B 4-1 in an afternoon game.:
Toronto Atomic FC and SC Waterloo played to a 1-1 tie at Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke, one game in the Canadian Soccer League Saturday night.
Forward Ihor Melnyk put Toronto Atomic ahead at the 30 minute mark, his drive beat Waterloo goalkeeper Imad Hakura inside the box for a 1-0 lead at the break.
Waterloo tied the game 1-1 on a goal from Adis Hasecic who broke into the Atomic goal on a breakaway and found the net past the home goalkeeper Vasyl Shpuk, the goal coming at the 53 minute mark.
Toronto Atomic now have a 3-2-2 WLT record for 11 points, while SC Waterloo maintained the best defensive record in the CSL First Division, just four goals conceded in their 4-1-1 record for 13 points.
There were two games in the CSL Second Division Saturday, Toronto Atomic B won 5-1 at home against Toronto Croatia B, while Serbian White Eagles B played to a scoreless tie with York Region Shooters B.
Sahjah Reid’s hat-trick led Serbian White Eagles to 4-0 victory
Serbian White Eagles defeated London City 4-0, Toronto Croatia beat Burlington SC 2-0 and Scarborough SC were held to a 3-3 draw by Niagara United, three games in the Canadian Soccer League Friday night.
Midfielder Marko Krasic, a recent arrival from First Division soccer in Europe, was the playmaker, while forward Sahjah Reid was the goalscorer with a hat-trick that helped Serbian White Eagles to the 4-0 defeat of London City at Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke.
Krasic penetrated the London defence with regularity for Reid to score at the 45 minute mark for a 1-0 lead at half-time, followed by his second goal at 63 minutes and the hat-trick for a 3-0 lead for the home side at the 79 minute mark.
Midfielder Milos Ljubenovic struck the fourth goal for Serbian White Eagles when he found the net past London goalkeeper Vladimir Markotic and the 4-0 lead held to the final whistle.
Defender Josip Keran opened the scoring for Toronto Croatia with a penalty kick, finding the net past Burlington SC goalkeeper Vladimir Vujasinovic at the 50 minute following an even and scoreless first half. Pero Menalo made it 2-0 at 78 minutes, the score at the final whistle.
There was one late game at Downsview Park where Scarborough SC came back from a 2-0 deficit at the break to score three goals in the second half to tie the visiting Niagara United 3-3.
Toronto Atomic FC moved into second place in the standings with a 2-0 victory over Burlington SC, the only game in the CSL First Division Saturday night, while earlier in the day Toronto Croatia completed its games on a winning note at the Croatian World Club Championship by defeating Canberra Croatia of Australia 3-0. The win gave Toronto third position in the eight-team tournament.
