It was a “six-point game” between two teams sitting close to each other in the standings. Atlético Ottawa had the opportunity to pull away from its closest pursuer, while Supra could have moved much closer to Ottawa. In the end, it was the Ottawa side that left happy after an exciting finish (1-2).
Nicolas Fleuriau-Chateau and Ralph Khoury responded to Safwane Mlah’s opening goal to give Atlético Ottawa a nine-point lead over Supra in the standings, although the Montreal side has one game in hand.
“We know our qualities and we know we can make a difference offensively. Even if we concede, we know we are capable of coming back into the game,” explained Nicolas Fleuriau-Chateau after a match in which Ottawa managed to fight back.
The match took some time to find its rhythm, with the first half-hour only coming to life thanks to a lightning-quick Atlético Ottawa counterattack, which Matisse Chrétien managed to stop after a remarkable run (26th).
Until that moment, only Nicolas Fleuriau-Chateau had tried to spark something for Ottawa, although he was too clumsy with his final touch.
Chrétien’s big chance-denying play nevertheless had the merit of waking up both teams, who took more risks and attacked with greater intensity.
Not particularly inspiring up to that point, Supra created several very good chances in quick succession.
Omar Elkalkouli tested Chris Kalongo with a good shot that the goalkeeper turned away with an excellent dive (28th), before Sean Rea missed the target with a powerful free kick (36th).
Although Ottawa had been (slightly) more adventurous at the start of the match, it was Supra that finished the half the stronger of the two sides.
Safwane Mlah hit the post (39th), before Kwemi narrowly missed the target with a low shot across goal (40th).
Kwemi was then denied by Aguilar, who desperately cleared a shot that Kalongo had only managed to slow down (45th).
Although both sides continued to show good intentions, chances became rarer after the break, apart from a powerful Aparicio shot that was blocked by his teammate Fleuriau-Chateau (47th).
Lebeuf, perfectly picked out by Choinière at the far post, then had an opening at his feet, but his effort lacked the power to beat Kalongo (60th).
Decisive substitutions on both sides
Looking to force a decision, Nick Razzaghi reunited the partnership that had worked well three days earlier in the Canadian Championship, bringing Condé on up front and moving Kwemi to the left wing.
The coaching decision quickly paid off. Condé, who had come on less than five minutes earlier, outran the defence before finding Safwane Mlah at the penalty spot. The midfielder had no trouble getting away from Cloutier with his first touch before beating Chris Kalongo with a powerful shot (1-0; 64th).
After taking the lead, Supra’s challenge became preserving its clean sheet, something it has failed to do all season.
With his team up against it, Atlético Ottawa head coach made a triple substitution (Khoury, Coulanges and Habibullah) with around 20 minutes remaining, bringing on fresh legs.
The impact was once again clearly visible, and this time it proved even more significant.
From a corner, Ralph Khoury won his duel and found Nicolas Fleuriau-Chateau, who headed home the equalizer (83rd).
The provider for the first goal, Ralph Khoury came within inches of giving Ottawa the lead shortly afterwards, but his shot missed the target (87th). It was only a matter of time, however, as he eventually found the breakthrough moments later.
Perfectly set up by Fleuriau-Chateau, the Ottawa player, completely unmarked by the Supra defence, sent a header beyond Milli’s reach for his first professional goal (1-2; 90th).
Reduced to 10 men following Chrétien’s late red card, Supra had too little time to find an equalizer, with only a free kick on target from Abzi offering hope of a comeback.
Kalongo nevertheless remained solid in goal, and Atlético left with three extremely valuable points.
“It was important today to turn the page on the Canadian Championship and focus on the CPL. That’s what we did,” said a satisfied Gustavo Leal after the match.
“We now have a nine-point lead over Supra and can look towards third place. That’s what we want now.”
Atlético has definitely made a major statement. For Supra, the defeat hurts both morally and in the standings.
“We let three points and we’re angry, that’s clear. We’re going to take it one game at a time and give everything we have to create a surprise,” explained Safwane Mlah. His team has no choice now.
Statistics
Starting XI
FC Supra: Kalongo; Assi (Dunn; 53rd), Cloutier, Mbomio (Khoury, 72nd), Aguillar (Abraham; 90th); Antinoro (Habibullah; 72nd), Arnaud, Aparicio; Ballou-Tabla, Garcia (Coulanges, 72nd), Fleuriau-Chateau
Atlético Ottawa: Milli; Lebeuf, Chrétien, Ferdinand, Auguste (Abzi, 68th); Biello, Elkalkouli (Condé; 60th), Mlah (Sissoko, 68th); Rea, Choinière (Bayiha, 84th), Kwemi (Bey, 84th)
Goals
Mlah (FC Supra) - 64th
Fleuriau-Chateau (Atlético Ottawa) - 83rd
Khoury (Atlético Ottawa) - 90th
Cards
Chrétien (FC Supra) - 51st - Yellow card
Mlah (FC Supra) - 61st - Yellow card
Sissoko (FC Supra) - 80th - Yellow card
Chrétien (FC Supra) - 90+2 - Second yellow card
Ballou-Tabla (Atlético Ottawa) - 90+5 - Yellow card
Player of the Match Cplsoccer.com
Nicolas Fleuriau-Chateau - Atlético Ottawa
The Ottawa player was decisive, providing an assist and scoring a goal, while also maintaining a tireless presence throughout the match.
Next game
FC Supra travels to Forge FC on August 19 at 7 p.m. ET
Atlético Ottawa hosts Vancouver FC on August 19 at 7 p.m. ET