| Atlético Ottawa | HFX Wanderers |
| YC 45+1′ Ben McKendry | G 15′ Akeem Garcia |
| G 60′ Alessandro Riggi | |
| YC 81′ Louis Béland-Goyette |
I am proud of this team. After pundits picked them to finish last, they gave themselves a shot on the final day of the opening round of the Island Games. While the result didn’t go their way in the end, they proved to be an exciting team with the foundation in place for next season. The scoreline of this game would indicate they were dominated, but they gave it their all. Soccer is a game of inches, and the inches just went Halifax’s way today.
First Half:
The first 15 minutes saw Ottawa passing well but nothing into threatening areas. This lack of threat proved costly when Akeem Garcia scored for Halifax. Zabal got a big piece on the ball, but it wasn’t enough, as the ball trickled under the keeper’s body. This goal was a microcosm, in my opinion, of the entire season on defence. Brief mental lapses and slow reaction, leading to mini-breaks on Zabal.
Ottawa did pick up the pressure for the rest of the half, but they were unlucky to not at least tie the game. Halifax’s keeper, Christian Oxner just kept stepping up to the occasion, time and time again.
First, in the 23rd minute, a counter attack that had a beautiful touch by Hamilton that sent Shaw in alone on goal. The angle was always tough, but the shot forced Oxner to concede the corner.
In the 40th minute, Kourouma, with his back to goal at the edge of the box, sent a through ball to Shaw on his right. The big chance forced Oxner to make another huge save.
Going into the half, Ottawa was down 1-0, and would have to do something they haven’t done all tournament – a comeback.
Second Half:
A draw wouldn’t be enough today to move on to the next round, and Ottawa needed to score two goals against a stingy Halifax team. Mista, seeing that Ottawa’s season was on the line, subbed in Vashon Neufville for Jarred Phillips to give his side more speed and attack.
Neufville quickly started to show why he was signed in the first place. He made a great run in the box, reminiscent of one he made on a goal in the first game of the tournament, against York9. However, this time, the pass wasn’t as good, leading to a non-chance for Ottawa.
Unfortunately, no substitution could have saved them from the horrible turnover by McKendry in the 60th minute. Intending to pass it back to his defender, he instead sends a ball through for the Halifax forward to score on break. Zabal had no chance on the play, as Riggi chipped the ball above the Ottawa keeper. You have to feel for the usually dependable McKendry on this goal. He earned his way into the starting lineup, and was a big reason for Wednesday’s game-winning goal against Pacific.
Ottawa did not do much in the remainder of the game, with the exception of one chance by Viti and Acuña in the 64th minute, and another chance by Fisk – but again Oxner made a huge save, barely getting his fingertips on the ball.
The only thing of note for Ottawa in the rest of the game was Kapor’s injury in the 67th minute, when his head got sandwiched between a Halifax player and Zabal off a corner kick. Hopefully, the centre-back will be OK, as the injury ended his day.
The game ended 2-0. But I must say, this was a successful season. Atlético Ottawa, under the circumstances, gave themselves a chance to make it to the second round. A couple of things didn’t go their way (e.g. red cards) but considering that three of their main players couldn’t join the club for the tournament because of border lockdowns due to COVID-19, and essentially half of their club was signed barely a few days before the tournament, Ottawa exceeded expectations. I am proud of this club, and I am eager to see them next year!
Although the season is over, there is a lot to be excited about with this team. Courage and heart; that’s this team’s identity. That is who we are as their supporters.
AUPA OTTLETI!
Match Thoughts:
- I do find it questionable that Neufville didn’t start the game. If he is healthy enough to play at all, he should be starting in a do-or-die game.
- Lack of depth hurt Ottawa again, with Mista too scared to use more than two subs. When the season is on the line and fatigue is an issue, you have to trust your bench. Down 2-0, they had nothing to lose, why not make some attacking substitutions?
- Ottawa was unlucky to not at least score 1 goal. They had more shots and shots on target, and higher possession. Oxner was simply the man of the match.
- I wouldn’t go as far as to say Oxner stole the match for Halifax, because the team played well enough to earn the win, but it could be argued the game could have turned out differently without him in between the sticks.
- Ajay Khabra was the only other substitute for Ottawa, coming on for the injured Kapor in the 70th minute.
- It’s been a fun season. Bittersweet to not get to the next round, but I don’t see why this team cannot be a contender sooner rather than later, and why they can’t win a championship in a couple years.
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