A dramatic winner handed the Wanderers a huge three points at the Wanderers Grounds
Vanni Sartini's men are off the mark at home, as Tavio Ciccarelli's stoppage-time winner handed the Halifax Wanderers a huge three points in a 1-0 victory on Saturday.
It was Halifax's first win since the opening match of their season, where they also beat Vancouver FC by that same scoreline. It ended a six-match winless run for the club at home as well.
Vancouver were forced to make a pair of changes to their starting eleven due to international absences, with Mohamed Amissi (Burundi) and Emrick Fotsing (Canada U-20) replaced by Nicolás Mezquida and Damiano Pecile, respectively. Halifax kept an unchanged eleven, lining up in the 4-2-3-1 formation that they have for the past two matches.
Through the opening half hour, both sides had promising spells of possession but couldn't pick out the final pass, as there was just one shot attempted, an off-target header from Thierno Bah, through the first 29 minutes. In the 30th minute, Vancouver won a free kick in a dangerous position and forced a good save from Marco Carducci on a curling effort from Tom Field that looked destined for the top corner.
Vancouver looked particularly dangerous in the opening half down the left flank as Mezquida and Bah combined well to get in behind the Halifax backline on multiple occasions. The visitors controlled the second part of the half, putting Halifax under siege at home. Halifax struggled to even get the ball out of their own half with consistency.
At the half, the hosts still had not attempted a shot, and had just two touches in the box. The visitors, by contrast, had six attempts and 15 touches in the box.
The Eagles forced another great save from Carducci just minutes into the opening half. A great cross from Mezquida found Campbell. who, despite a jumbled first attempt still put a dangerous effort goalward -- which the Halifax goalkeeper got down well to deny.
In the 51st minute, Halifax had easily their best chance of the match to that point as Johnston found himself wide and flashed a low cross across the six-yard box. Victor Akinwale looked like he had a tap-in but couldn't get a foot on the ball as it sped harmlessly past him.
At the hour mark, Vancouver FC brought on Lys Mousset for his longest cameo yet in the league. He nearly had an immediate impact during a quick Vancouver counterattack, as he beat his man and tried to pick out Mezquida across goal, but couldn't quite connect.
Damiano Pecile, who was playing in a more advanced position on Saturday, forced a diving stop from Carducci on a well-placed low strike in the 74th minute.
Finally, in the 83rd minute, Halifax registered a shot on target on Isaiah Johnston's strike from distance, but it was comfortably caught by Irving.
In the 86th minute, the Wanderers had a shout for a penalty as the ball hit the arm of Marcello Polisi. But after an FVS challenge from Vanni Sartini was fruitless, as it was deemed Polisi had kept his arm close to his body.
As the match pushed into its final moments, the hosts found their opening. Substitute Miguel Arilla cut down the right flank, beat his man and then played the ball into the middle to fellow sub Ciccarelli, who was unmarked. Ciccarelli coolly slid the ball past Irving.
The young striker did get a little too caught up in his celebration as he removed his kit. Already on a yellow card, he was subsequently sent off. But the damage was done, and the Wanderers ended a seven-match winless streak in all competitions in dramatic fashion.
Box Score
Starting XIs
Halifax Wanderers: Carducci; Alphonse, Linder, Sow, Godinho (Bahamboula 75'); Zitman (Ciccarelli 84'), Callegari; Baï (Arilla 75'), Johnston, Telfer; Akinwale (Kachwele 67')
Vancouver FC: Irving; Doner, Field, Campagna, Proctor; Ssewankambo, Polisi; Pecile (Toomey 75'), Mezquida, Bah; Campbell (Mousset 61')
Goals
90+3' -- Tavio Ciccarelli (Halifax Wanderers)
Discipline
29' — Yellow: Lorenzo Callegari (Halifax Wanderers)
76' -- Yellow: Isaiah Johnston (Halifax Wanderers)
87' -- Yellow: Thierno Bah (Vancouver FC)
90+2' -- Yellow: Tavio Ciccarelli (Halifax Wanderers)
90+4' -- Yellow+Red: Tavio Ciccarelli (Halifax Wanderers)
CPLSoccer.com Player of the Match
Marco Carducci, Halifax Wanderers
The Halifax keeper kept his side in the match as they underwent long stretches of defending with some big saves. He made three saves and two clearances.
What's Next?
Halifax begin a pre-World Cup road trip next weekend in Calgary, where they take on Cavalry FC at ATCO Field on Saturday, June 6 (7 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. AT).
The Eagles, meanwhile, host Atlético Ottawa on Friday, June 5 at the Stadium at the Langley Events Centre (10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT).