July 22, 2018 League 1 Ontario--Toronto FC III vs Sigma FC League Cup Semi-Final (from League 1 Ontario)

    
TFC III Win Men's L1 Cup Semi 2-1 (6-5) Over Sigma FC In PKs 
07/22/2018, 3:00pm EDT
By Irene Halis

Toronto FC III advance to the 2018 L1 Cup Finals after sticking away six to Sigma FC's five penalty kicks, 
following an exciting 1-1 draw in full time between these two men's division powerhouses.

A very windy Saturday afternoon, and a very physical game right off the bat, was order of the day 
as both teams came out ready to fight for a spot in the Cup finals.

TFC III absorbed a lot of pressure in the first half, with Sigma pressing high and finding the target 
four times, hitting two off target.

A couple great chances came in the first half for the visitors as Kadell Thomas and Marcel Zajac combined 
well to get crosses into the box.

Still it was TFC to get the first goal, on a counter-attack, when Kunle Dada-Luke (23') drove towards 
goal and slotted one past Sigma goalkeeper, Triston Henry.

Sigma would answer ten minutes later as Thomas did well to beat his defender down the line and pulled 
a cross back to the top of the 18 yard box for Mansoor Alfazy (33'), who made no mistake and finished 
in the bottom right corner.

TFC had the chance to get the go-ahead goal late in the first half as Jayden Nelson slotted a great ball 
to the back post, but Sigma's Henry came sliding out to deny the opportunity.

The second half started just as the first – Sigma with majority possession and two great efforts 
from Zajac and Kyle Walton in the first five minutes.

As Sigma pressed early on, they kept TFC goalkeeper Engbers very busy, sending him diving left and right.

The majority of the game was then played in the middle third, with a few notable efforts back and forth, 
and Sigma being the stronger attacking team but unable to execute in the final third.

After a 1-1 draw in full time, this L1 Cup Semi-Final was on its way straight to penalties.

Both teams seemed jittery, missing their first penalties - Sigma's Kyle Walton hit the crossbar, 
while TFC's Marko Mandekic was denied by a sprawling Henry.

Then Sigma's Giuliano Frano, Hili Goldhar, Zajac, and David Velastegui all stepped up and scored 
clinically, while TFC's Zakaria Abdi, Afram Gorgees, and Dada-Luke responded by dispatching theirs as well.

The fifth and final kick was a nail biter as Sigma's keeper Henry, who had played an outstanding match, 
had a chance to win it for the blues.

TFC's Luke Singh shot low to the left, and the ball had just enough power behind it that the outstretched 
right hand of Henry couldn't keep it out of the net.

In sudden death penalties, Sigma's Dionysis Stergiotis and TFC's Ralph Priso slotted their shots into 
the back of the net to tie it 5-5.

Onto the seventh penalty round, where Sigma's Charlie Anagho-Ntamark stepped up and was promptly 
denied by the upright.

TFC's left-back Sal Mazzaferro, who now had the chance to take it all for the Junior Reds, stepped 
up and calmly finished it into the left corner. A trip to the 2018 L1 Cup Finals is now guaranteed 
for the Reds, where they will take on the winner of Sunday's Semi-Final featuring 
Oakville Blue Devils vs Vaughan SC.

Toronto FC III will next host Pro Stars FC on July 29 (1:00 p.m.) at BMO Training Grounds, Toronto. 

Sigma will next host Oakville Blue Devils on July 28 (4:00 p.m.) at Hershey Centre, Mississauga. 

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