May 26, 2022 York United Held Onto Hot Coal To Secure A Historic Canadian Championship Semi-Final Berth (from York United FC website)

May 26, 2022 York United Held Onto Hot Coal To Secure A Historic Canadian Championship Semi-Final Berth
(from York United FC website)

YORK UNITED HELD ONTO HOT COAL TO SECURE A HISTORIC CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL BERTH

Niko Giantsopoulos whose heroics- pulling two saves-helped the Nine Stripes prevail 4-3 on penalties.

York United held onto hot coal to secure a historic Canadian Championship semi-final berth
via penalties at the backyard of Pacific FC on Tuesday night.

And the plaudits go to goalkeeper Niko Giantsopoulos whose heroics- pulling two saves-helped
the Nine Stripes prevail 4-3 on penalties.

This was after a stoppage-time Amer Didic goal-his second on the night- dramatically tied
the score at 2-2 for the Tridents at Starlight Stadium.

This late effort meant for the second straight time, York would need spot-kicks to progress
in the Cup competition.

Early this month, they held their nerves to put Atletico Ottawa to sleep in the capital
and that feat was repeated in Victoria.

Hero and Man of the Match, Giantsopoulos explains the secret behind their recent successes
from 12 yards.

''I think [it’s] confidence,'' the gloves man, who rejoined his teammates after a one-match
emergency loan at MLS side Whitecaps, said in his post-match conference.

''I mean, I think we got a very confident group in that locker room and I think that shows
when we take penalties now where we've missed two penalties of how many we've taken ?
Maybe around like 13, so it's a pretty good record and that's probably what it takes.''

York United rallied from an early goal down in the 11th minute, when Didic headed in a corner
from the right, to take a 2-1 first half lead.

An unmarked Roger Thompson's fulminating header on a corner kick floated by Diyaeddine Abzi
hit the back of the net for the equalizer on 25 minutes.

But the captain had to be substituted on the nick of half time when he suffered a hamstring injury.

In between that, Osaze De Rosario turned in a pin-point cross from Lowell Wright with his head
to give York the lead and that dazed Pacific.

And this stood until the 97th minute when Pacific's big centre back smashed home a low shot
which flew past Giantsopoulos to extend the outcome of the match.

York United were denied victory at the death but it didn’t in anyway dampen their spirits
as they mustered courage to execute the spot kicks.

Giantsopoulos saved Pacific's first spot kick taken by Alejandro Diaz before second-half substitute
Eduardo skied his effort to even the contest after four kicks.

Down to the final round, Jordan Wilson planted his ball into the roof firmly and Marco Bustos
had his stopped to send Martin Nash's men through to the last four of the Voyageurs Cup.

''It was great for the spectators, was so great for me in the second half but I thought we had
a really good first half and scored two goals,'' Head coach Martin Nash reacted in his post-match.

''We’re under pressure for large parts that second half. They really came at us especially
the last 10 minutes and we bent and bent and bent and I guess finally broke with the last kick
of the game.

''There are some things we want to look at within our group after that result just to learn
and grow to go forward, regather, regroup and be able to win games.''

The Gaffer also refused to make a huge capital from the unbeaten record- in the two matches-against
the current league leaders and defending champions at their fortress.

When asked if his side can now count themselves as serious contenders for honours this season,
he replied by saying: ''Not yet to be honest. I think we have a long way to go. I think it was
a really good result here to beat the league leaders in a Cup [competition].

''I wouldn't say we won, though, to be fair. Penalty shootout could go either way.

''To get a draw here is still as good but I'm pleased we scored two goals but not pleased
we conceded two.

''But I still think to come here and get a result is tough because no one's done it yet this
year and I don't think a lot of teams will.

''To be honest, they're a very good team. They can put a lot of pressure on you in many ways.
So it's good for our guys to get a taste of this and take this as a bit of a badge of an honor
to come here and play two games and not lose.''

York United return to York Lions Stadium this Sunday after four matches on the road in all
competitions and will face Calvary FC.

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