Langford-based Pacific FC took a couple of gut punches in their quest to repeat as champions as Atletico Ottawa won 2-0 in front of a dismayed Starlight Stadium on Saturday (Oct. 15).
PFC now faces a tough task to keep their season alive by playing on the road in Ottawa.
Ottawa looked to sit deep and absorb pressure as PFC controlled 65 per cent of possession. But the home team lacked the clinical edge, as head coach James Merriman said after the game.
B次元官网网址淭his result is on us,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not that Ottawa did something, itB次元官网网址檚 on us. So we beat ourselves.B次元官网网址�
PFC lined up slightly unconventionally with Kamron Habibullah leading the line in a false nine role as Djenairo Daniels was not fit for the game. Merriman said that both Daniels and dos Santos had been struggling with knocks in training and it was not clear whether theyB次元官网网址檇 be available for the return leg in Ottawa on Oct. 23.
If the Tridents had more of the ball, Ottawa had the best early chance as Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla broke in behind before playing the ball across to Abdoul Sissoko, who cannoned a low shot against the post.
PFC wouldnB次元官网网址檛 get a clear sight of goal until the second half as Marco Bustos twice came close. He first dribbled in behind, only to see Ottawa goalkeeper Nathan Ingham push his low shot onto the post seconds into the second half. Ingham then foiled Bustos again, after he had rifled a shot from the edge of the box.
PFC appeared to be knocking on the door until Ottawa flipped the script.
A ball over the top caught PFC flat-footed. Goalkeeper Callum Irving rushed out of his net, leaving it exposed. Tabla took advantage, lofting the ball over Irving give Ottawa the lead with 11 minutes left in the game.
Pacific looked to rally quickly, when Jordan Brown controlled Manny AparicioB次元官网网址檚 cross and shot low. But Ingham again came to OttawaB次元官网网址檚 rescue.
As the clock ticked down, PFCB次元官网网址檚 hopes of a comeback hit the rocks as Ottawa broke and worked the ball to Zach Verhoven, whose shot deflected off Nathan Mavila into the top corner with seconds left.
B次元官网网址淵ou have to have a stroke of luck,B次元官网网址� said Mavila. B次元官网网址淗e shot the ball and it just hit me, thereB次元官网网址檚 not much you can do. You canB次元官网网址檛 move out of the way as a defender, youB次元官网网址檝e got to try and block it. Nine times out of 10 it hits you and it goes out and that one time it goes in the top corner.B次元官网网址�
Pacific face Ottawa again in the second leg in CanadaB次元官网网址檚 capital on Oct. 23 and needs a big win to keep its season alive. Both Merriman and Mavila said the teamB次元官网网址檚 experience in the CONCACAF League would help them.
B次元官网网址淪ame as what weB次元官网网址檝e done in Heredinao, Costa Rica,B次元官网网址� said Mavila. B次元官网网址淚t was turbulent. You had no one cheering for us. But we just have to have each otherB次元官网网址檚 backs. ThatB次元官网网址檚 all we have and thatB次元官网网址檚 what weB次元官网网址檝e got to utilize. I feel like if we do that, and we mix that with hard work, skyB次元官网网址檚 the limit.B次元官网网址�
