July 16, 2018 League 1 Ontario--Alliance United vs Vaughan Azzurri game review (from League 1 Ontario)

    
First Half Scoring Bonanza As Vaughan Beats Alliance 4-2
07/16/2018, 4:30pm EDT
By Mahdi Ghaffaribarzi

The match was decided with a first half six-goal bonanza, with Vaughan Azzurri earning their third consecutive 
win and consigning Alliance United FC to their second defeat of the season thanks to Jace Dayton Kotsopoulos 
hat-trick (17', 30', 39') and a 4-2 Azzurri victory.

In just the second minute, Alliance got on the score sheet through Anthony Sousa's (2') tap-in at the far post 
from a low cross on the right side.

Vaughan tried to get back on level terms, earning three corners in the space of ten minutes and then finally 
drew level thanks to a Jace Dayton Kotsopoulos's (16') low shot from close range.

Four minutes later, Vaughan turned the game around as Daniel Cramarossa (21') perfectly controlled a cross 
from the right-hand side and sent it into the back of the net.

It seemed Vaughan had targeted Alliance's left side as they scored their third goal from this flank, finding 
space to get a cross in and connecting with Kotsopoulos (30') unmarked with a diving header at the back post.

Falling behind by two goals, Alliance made a substitution in the 33rd minute and returned to their initial 
formation. However, it was again Vaughan who scored and again by Kotsopoulos (39'); he completed his 
hat-trick with an amazing header at the near post on a cross from Jarek Whiteman on the right side.

Alliance's left side seemed vulnerable in the half, and Vaughan exploited that by setting-up three goals 
from this area.

Minutes before the end of the half, Alliance shortened the difference via Steven Furlano (43'), who scored 
with a great right-footed half-volley from just inside the box.

The second half was an entirely different story with no goals scored. Vaughan minimized space well and Alliance 
struggled to meaningfully open it up. Only two real chances were created in the half, one for each team 
as Alliance Furlano's chip in an almost one-on-one situation with the keeper was agonizingly wide, 
and Vaughan's Dylan Sacramento was denied by the keeper in the same situation. Intelligent attacking play 
by Alliance's right-sided forward Bogdan Poliakhov was a bright spot for the hosts after his second half 
introduction, offering plenty of pacey runs and well-placed crosses, but Alliance forwards couldn't get 
on the end of his service.  

Ultimately, after being undefeated for 77 days (April 29th, 1-0 against North Mississauga SC), Alliance 
suffered their second defeat of the season. Conceding four goals in one game will hurt their differential 
though, as the goal against average was one per game before this contest.

Alliance United FC have almost one month to be prepared for the next match, which is against 
Woodbridge Strikers August 12 (7 p.m) at Vaughan Grove 1, Woodbridge.

Woodbridge Strikers is also the next opponent of Vaughan Azzurri as they will face each other 
at Vaughan Grove 1, Woodbridge on July 29 (7 p.m).

back to 2018 League 1 Ontario Men's index

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