The Serbian White Eagles are the new champions of the Canadian Soccer League! Today in the final they beat Hamilton City 2:1 after extra time. In the regular course of the game, the result was 1:1 (0:1). The Eagles thus repeated the success of 2008 when they won the cup for the first time. A great success and a real feat of our community team after they were fourth at the end of the regular part of the championship and were not among the teams that you gave chances for the final triumph. Our team played exceptionally in the end and with two 1:0 victories in the quarter-final and semi-final, and an impressive game in the second half and overtime today in the final, fully deservedly won the trophy and the title of champion for this year. Fantastic and unexpected!
Today, our team had more support from the stands, the good old “Ultra Serbs” also came, their leaders, a group of Eagles fans that once had around 300-400 fans, waving big Serbian tricolors.
Stadium: Birchmount Stadium
Weather: Cloudy and cold
Spectators: 400
Referee: Tony Amaral
Scorers: 0:1 Zubac (17) 1:1 Bojić (59) 2:1 Šćepanović (91)
Player of the match: Šćepanović
Serbian White Eagles: Škarić, Kamberović , Vukomanović, Kusić (Ljubenović), Jelić, Velašević, Marović, Jocić, Šćepanović, Bojić (Jovanović), Svonja.
Coach: Uros Stamatovic
Hamilton City: Becic, Lovell, Restrepo (Marjanovic), Krmar, Jurcevic, Vukovic, Cabrilo, Platis (Barbosa), Grbesa, Stanojevic (Boksic), Zubac (Uribe)
Coach: Josip Dzale
First half
The first half was played in the middle of the field, the Eagles had more of the ball and possession, but they created only one half chance. Hamilton City did a good job obstructing our game, they won 50/50 balls, if they didn’t succeed, they made frequent fouls, but far from the shooting zone.
17 minute-After a half-foul, a free kick is scored from the left side for Hamilton City, 20 meters from our goal, Zubac shoots, the ball hits our living wall, changes direction and goes to the left side of our goal, opposite to where Škarić went and with a lot lucky 0:1.
44 minute-Velašević passes nicely through the middle, a good pass for Šćepanović, but the goalkeeper was a little faster.
Inconsequential first half, fair and manly game with a lot of chopping and fouls.
Second half
Second half, completely different story. The Eagles spread out on the field, they win every duel, they go to win one on one, the ball goes quickly and simply, they think about the quickest and easiest way to reach the opponent’s goal, chance after chance are lined up.
46th minute-Good shot by Velašević, almost wide of the goal
48th minute-After a corner, Bojić from an ideal situation does not catch the ball well with his head
52nd minute-Kamberović, who is in an extremely good mood today, receives the ball on the right wing, passes and goes diagonally in front of the goalkeeper, shoots closer to the crossbar and almost over the goal.
59th minute-Our players spread out, the goalkeeper receives the ball from a teammate from the defense, prepares to shoot the ball far into the field, Kojić sprints, enters his shot, the ball hits him in the back and happily ends up in the goal, fully deserved 1:1.
61st minute- Vukomanović receives the ball from an angle 20 meters from the goal, sharp shot and the ball hits the crossbar
73rd minute- Jocić passes beautifully, and makes a great shot from 14 meters, the goalkeeper makes an excellent save. Especially today their best player Grbes, simply uncatchable, and ours often the only way to stop him is to make a foul. Fortunately, the Eagles are good in defense led by the infallible Jelic. A small and smart respite for the Eagles before the end.
80th minute – Šćepanović perfectly lays the ball for Kamberović 18 meters from the goal, a good shot ends just over the crossbar.
After extra time, the Eagles continue in the same rhythm, they are going to win, they are going to simply be better.
91st minute-Already after 30 seconds of the game, Kamberović shoots from about twenty meters, the ball brushes someone from the opponent’s defense, Šćepanović is in a rush, sweeps past the goalkeeper and sends the ball into the net for 2:1 and a big celebration 95th minute.
How good of a player Grbes is shows when he hit the upper part of the crossbar from a free kick diagonally from 40 meters
102nd minute-Jovanović, who brought a lot of speed and freshness to our attack with his entry, passes nicely on the right wing, looks and ideally sends the ball to Kamberović at 14 meters, a great shot follows and unfortunately the crossbar once again saved the opponent’s goalkeeper
108th minute Jocić throws Šćepanović out again lucidly, but the goalkeeper is faster by a fraction of a second
110th minute-100 percent chance, Jovanović ideally received a deep ball, he went completely alone towards the goalkeeper, paused a bit, turned the opposing player who caught up with him, shoots and the goalkeeper makes a fantastic save
112th minute – probably the only mistake of our defense today. Grbesa from the center from the break sends a strong ideal ball in front of our goal, Jurcevic runs and jumps the highest, luckily his header hits the post
120th minute – Once again Šćepanović receives the ball beautifully, turns and shoots from about ten meters away, the goalkeeper saves the opponent once again and for the last time today.
In the extra time, nothing happened, our players skillfully defended themselves and saved the ball for the start of the big celebration in the middle of the field. Everyone ran in, both fans and management and former players, our Serbian tricolors were brought in, an indescribable and unforgettable celebration. And the cup was received by captain Miloš Šćepanović, the only player who lifted that cup in 2008, well done Miloš!
This is a great success of the Serbian White Eagles after several crisis and difficult years. Once again, the Eagles confirmed the reputation and renown they have in Canadian football, the hard work and investments of several enthusiasts, led by president Dragan Bakoč, paid off, once again the Eagles brightened the image of our community in Canada. It is also an invitation to all our people to strengthen and help our team even more, the best football team of our diaspora.
Z.M.