View from the 18: Week 15

Our 2024 season has ended for our OT1 and OT5 teams plus our MR3 and MR4 teams had BYES. This week’s BLOG is brief but nevertheless entertaining.

Spurred by Arnprior!

By: the Editor
Game Played on August 26th, 2024

Playing the top team in MR2 and carrying a short bench, you would have expected our result to be more lopsided. It wasn’t. We held a team that’s + 37 in goals for and against to a respectable 2. We were that close to a better outcome.

I see better days ahead for our MR2 squad!

Thank you to MR4’s call-ups Matteo Zito, Michael Maguire, Reda Ghazal, and Q. Vuniqi.

Our MR2’s ‘Player of the Game’ was Matt Fyfe. This is the second time he’s been given this honour!

Midway through the first half, a fast break led by Q.Vuniqi ended with Adakola Kennedy scoring our first goal of the match. This advantage gave our team some breathing room, allowing us to control the possession and created more scoring chances. Just before the end of the half, a good attacking play resulted in Adakola scoring his second goal of the game.

At the start of the second half, Saigon increased the pressure but there was better coordination between our ‘D’ and mid lines, keeping any danger at bay. Following a corner kick, Jeff Vandermulen scored the third goal for the Wolves, making it 3-0. A few minutes later, and after another good offensive play, Vincent Wienecke received a pass while wide open in the Saigon area, burying it into the net for a 4-0 game.

Towards the end of the match, Saigon got one back, though the final result was a victory for our OT6 Wolves. The bad news was that our Faisal Boty was injured and he will miss our final match of the season. We all wish Faisal a speedy recovery and we hope to see him back on the pitch soon.

Our final match, which most likely will be for the division title against, is the Gloucester Eagles.

Believe!!!!!!!!

The ‘MVPs ‘Players of the Game‘ were Adakola Kennedy, Jeff Vandermulen, Dino de Franco, and Drew Pihlainen (and family).

The Referee called both captains and laid-out his expectations for the match, only who knew that later in the match it would be the Referee himself that would determine the outcome of this match!

Whistle blown and both sides were moving the ball well, but our Wolves were in better position and placing much more pressure on the Rockers.  With our sidelined Captain (Charles Vincent– still suffering from an ankle injury and still searching for teammates to share his injury story) doling out instructions to ensure both momentum and above-all keeping our playing shape as he opted to apply Roberto De Zerbi’s high-press 4-2-3-1 structure (Charles has had lots of time to read since his injury) to push the Rockers attack back.  A few scoring opportunities were created, but the Rockers’ Keeper kept them in the game with some catches though he did make a spectacular save late in the first half to keep his side in the game.

Despite the pressure, the Rockers broke through our lines and mid-way through the first half of the game scored a lob of a goal over our keeper’s reach.  A few minutes later, our own Mark Freel tied this match.

The first half ended with one goal apiece and with emotions running high but in check.  Again, both sides knowing what was at stake.

Half-time pep talk was really left to the players (though Charles reminded everyone to keep their emotions in check and to keep doing what we were doing and we should be rewarded) and Moe Fakih came out with a battle cry reminiscent of Mel Gibson in Braveheart!  Everyone joined in, ready for battle!

The second half of the match’s start was fairly balanced with scoring opportunities on both sides.  Though the stress of the match was taking a toll on Charles as he could be seen shouting and encouraging our Fred Scaffidi to keep the pressure (though we were all reluctant to tell him that it was actually Moe doing the running – his eye sight was playing tricks on him).  The Wolves defense were playing well and moving the ball to the midfield and in turn to our strikers to create scoring chances, however, the Rockers were matching-up well.  Tensions were rising and to say that it was becoming physical was an understatement.  Unfortunately, mid-way through the second half, a penalty shot was called against our Wolves!  A non-existent foul as the opposing team’s striker simply tripped over his own feet as he was trying to get to a loose ball. Despite the Keeper guessing correctly, there was nothing that could be done.  The Rockers led 2-1. 

The emotions continued to run high and play was becoming ever more chippy.  Players were excitingly exchanging verbiage like school children in the playground during recess.  Fred was bumping and grinding the opposing player like a College student at a wild Frat Party.  Roberto Smilovich and Mimmo Mafrici were being heard, Frank Maiorino was feeling the pressure of having to deliver a goal or a winning assist as his emotions were running high, and lastly, defender Tony Zito cunningly agrees to move sides so he avoids a bust-up with the opposing player.  Paul Turnau stayed in control and rightly deserved the ‘Player of the Game’ honours for his leadership and finally playing the way everyone knew he could play.  At one point of the match, a direct kick was awarded to our Wolves and Moe was setting-up however all 18 players were yelling a Moe to let Mark Freel take the shot…Moe turns around and comments, “I get it, let Mark take the shot!” and so he did and directly to their keeper. Late in the game, The Wolves’ keeper came-up a TREMENDOUS goal line save to keep his side within striking distance, which now made Charles think that perhaps our keeper is the real deal ( editor’s note: he is! ) and not just a pylon.  However, with the Wolves pressing high, the Rockers managed to break-through and a one-on-one opportunity was created which saw them slip a third goal and seal the match and in turn win the division. 

Following the match, beverages were served but did not go down as smoothly as everyone would have hoped, but fortunately, the tasty panini helped lessen our disappointment.

The match was a reflection of two strong sides that deserve to move-up next season and will look to renewing their rivalry once again.

Our ‘Player of the Game‘ was Wolves veteran defender, Paul Turnau.