July 7, 2009 CSL Portugal FC vs TFC Academy (from TorontoFC.ca media release)
Maheu scores late winner for Academy
Reds youngsters get third win of season in CSL
07/07/2009 11:06 AMTorontoFC.ca
Justin Maheu came off the bench to score a last minute winner as Toronto FC Academy's Senior Team beat Portugal FC 2-1 in Canadian Soccer League action at Brockton Stadium.
TFC started the game full of energy and passion and put the opponents under constant pressure. In the 13th minute midfielder Jonathan Lao released Allando Matheson on a breakaway with a delightfully weighted through ball, but the big striker failed to convert the opportunity. Soon after, Daniel Calabretta took a gamble on a second ball and found himself in a good position with only the goalkeeper to beat but failed to hit the target.
TFC Academy continued to create good chances and finally opened the scoring in the 33rd minute. Goalkeeper Sotiri Varlokostas sent forward a long punt that found Matheson. He flicked the ball on for Daniel Calabretta who calmly placed a shot past the goalkeeper for his second goal in as many matches.
James Stamopoulos cleared off the line to preserve the lead going into half time. The second half started with Portugal FC controlling more of the play. Varlokostas was called into action on several occasions but didn't concede a goal until the 69th minute when attacking midfielder Ramon Bailey found space in the box and tied the game at 1-1.
With time running out, Toronto substitute Justin Maheu found himself in alone on the goalkeeper and fired in a stoppage time winner and give TFC Academy a third win of the season.
"Today was a magnificent performance from the boys," said Senior Team Head Coach Jason Bent. " They showed great energy, passion, and played some really good football which saw us create a number of quality scoring opportunities."
"The players followed the game plan and enjoyed the opportunity to play in a quaint little stadium on a grass surface. I am delighted for the boys that they were able to win the match in injury time. We put so much effort into the game and failed to take our chances until the 90th minute."
"I was happy that Justin Maheu on his return from a lengthy injury was able to provide the spark that we needed. The players need to understand that team spirit, organization, good industry and a desire to play football can go along way in the game and I was delighted to see a positive reaction because that is something we failed to do in the last two matches over the course of 90 minutes," explained Bent.
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