Supra blank the Lions 2-0
July 31, 2003 Author: Soccer Online - It's Called Futbol
July 31, Etobicoke
The Toronto Supra maintained its undefeated record in the 2003 Canadian Professional Soccer League with a 2-0 home victory over the Metro Lions on Thursday night at Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke.
The Toronto Supra opened the scoring on a superb individual effort by forward Samuel Afriyie in the 28th minute. He stole the ball from a Lions’ midfielder, faked his way past two more opponents and slotted the ball underneath Gregory Drakes in the Metro goal.
With five minutes remaining in the first half, Metro Lions striker Hayden Fitzwilliams burst through the Supra defense, but his close-range volley was expertly parried by goalkeeper Michael Silva.
The Supra were able to force the play for most of the first half -- a pattern that continued after the interval, with Mike DiLuca leading several dangerous forays into the Lions’ end of the field. Jared Radzinski was routinely overlapping down his left flank into dangerous scoring positions.
With 10 minutes remaining in the first half, Hayden Fitwilliams was left unmarked at the far post beside the Supra net. A high crossing pass was played directly to his head, but the Lions striker could only manage to direct the ball into the outside of the goal.
As the match wore on, it became apparent that the Metro Lions sorely missed the goal-scoring ability of two absent players -- Darryl Gomez (three goals this season) and Maxim Dorneval (two goals).
With four minutes remaining in the game, the Supra committed a foul two yards outside the top of its own penalty area. On the ensuing free kick, the ball smashed against the crossbar and bounced back into play.
In the final minute of the match, Drakes saved bravely at the feet of Danny Amaral from close range, but then, a few moments later, Amaral was sent in clear again. This time the crafty Supra forward lobbed the ball over Drakes to score from the top of the penalty area.
“We’re happy with the victory,” said the Supra’s midfield workhorse, Martin Peraza, after the final whistle. “Everybody played hard and we deserved the result. But we play the Ottawa Wizards later this month, and we know we have to beat them to win the league.” The victory leaves the Supra solidly in second place in the CPSL’s Eastern Conference behind the Wizards, who have only dropped two league points since the season commenced.
Goran Miscvic has replaced Aldwyn McGill behind the Metro Lions bench, after a string of recent mediocre-to poor performances this season prompted the switch. “We weren’t lucky tonight,” remarked the new Lion’s coach after the game, “If we had scored one goal earlier, it would have been a different story. But I’m looking forward to the rest of the season. We will get better every game.”
Match Rating: 4 out of 5
The Supra never stopped attacking in waves and it was only a matter of time before it received its insurance marker. The Lions kept it interesting by occasionally manufacturing excellent scoring opportunities, only to botch the required finishing touches. Still, the result was in doubt until the final minute of an hour and a half of attacking soccer.
Michael DiLuca was the standout performer on the night, showcasing his Zidane-like wizardry on the ball.
Futnotes: The Supra’s won-lost-tied record stands at 6-0-2 and the Metro Lions have compiled a 1-5-2 record thus far this season.
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