PICTURE: CSC Mississauga’s attacking midfielder, Pero Menalo, played a big part in his side’s hard earned surprise victory over third place Serbian White Eagles, a win that gives lowly Mississauga a boost as it strives to clinch its first playoff spot in the post-season CSL Championship. Menalo set up the opening goal for the home side and struck the winner just before the final whistle at 94 minutes.
A last minute winner by Pero Menalo gave CSC Mississauga a 3-2 victory over Serbian White Eagles in a well-played tough encounter at the Hershey Centre, the only game played in the Canadian Soccer League Friday night. Menalo was on the end of a left wing cross to put the ball over the line at the 94th minute and it was the forward’s sixth goal of the season, which may prove to be the most important one as CSC Mississauga seeks its first playoff game to compete for the CSL Championship.
Menalo was part of the opening goal also, moving the ball to Nicola Brtan who found the net for a 1-0 CSC Mississauga lead at the 6th minute mark.
Serbian White Eagles equalized at 34 minutes, a goal by Marko Stajic and went into the lead from the penalty spot, a goal by Maris Scepanovic to put the visitors up 2-1. CSC Mississauga rallied to tie the game 2-2 when Zdravko Puljic struck from a tight angle and at the end of an attractive game played at good pace, Menalo hit the winner.
The win improves CSC Mississauga to a 4-10-1 WLT record for 13 points in seventh position, while Serbian White Eagles are third in the table with a 8-3-4 record for 28 points.
Serbian White Eagles have already clinched a playoff spot, Friday’s winning team, CSC Mississauga, has not yet made it to the top eight. With three games remaining, (vs Brantford Galaxy, Kingsman A and Hamilton City), the Mississauga side will be attempting to pick up enough points to enter the group of eight as the regular season comes to a close.
The regular season is expected to end during the first week of October and the post season playoffs will begin with the quarterfinals the Thanksgiving weekend of October 11, 12 and 13, followed by the semis the weekend 18, 19, 20. The CSL Championship Final and Second Division Championship Final will be played Saturday, October 26 or Sunday, October 27.
On completion of the First Division regular season, the top four teams will have home team advantage in the playoffs and the opening round quarterfinals will be arranged 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6 and 4 vs 5.
In the Second Division, all teams are in the playoffs and the top two teams at the end of the regular season will gain a bye to the semifinals.
The position of teams tied on points at the end of the regular season will be decided using the CSL Tie-Breaking Rule 2009: Total wins during the regular season is the first decider, and if still tied, it’s the head to head record based on points. If still tied, the best goal difference in regular season games is used and if still tied, the total goals scored in regular season games is what counts.
Playoff games will be the usual regular time plus added time at 90 minutes (as with regular season games). If the score is tied, the teams will play 15 minutes each way extra time. If still tied, penalty kicks will be taken as per FIFA guidelines, to decide the winner.
First Division teams in bold have secured a playoff spot following the game of Friday, September 13:
FC Vorkuta
Scarborough SC
Serbian White Eagles
FC Ukraine United
SC Waterloo
Three additional teams from the following will make up the eight to enter the quarterfinals during the weekend October 11 – 13.
Kingsman A
CSC Mississauga
Hamilton City
Real Mississauga
Brantford Galaxy
REMAINING FIRST DIVISION GAMES DURING THE WEEKEND:
Saturday, Sept.14 Heritage Field 6.30 pm Hamilton City vs FC Vorkuta
Saturday, Sept. 14 RIM Park 7 pm SC Waterloo vs Real Mississauga SC
Saturday, Sept. 14 Heritage Field 8.30 pm Brantford Galaxy vs Scarborough SC
Sunday, Sept. 15 Centennial Stadium 5 pm FC Ukraine United vs Kingsman A
UPCOMING SECOND DIVISION GAMES:
Wednesday, Sept. 18 12 pm Serbian White Eagles B vs Brantford Galaxy B
Wednesday, Sept. 18 9 pm Hamilton City B vs Kingsman B
