Talent, but also character and unity. That's what allowed FC Supra to get their first home win, and second win of the season, 2-1 over the Halifax Wanderers.
"We were behind, we conceded a goal very early against an experienced team, but I'm very satisfied, very proud of the lads, whose reaction I appreciated," said FC Supra coach Nick Razzaghi. "There were a lot of new players who got some playing time, which is a good thing for our season."
Razzaghi had indeed made some bold choices in his Starting XI, notably leaving Aboubacar Sissoko and Cléménet Bayiha on the bench, and giving Calin Calaidjogul, Riad Bey and Ibrahim Condé their first starts of the season.
Despite a powerful shot from Rea in the opening minutes that forced Marco Carducci into a spectacular save, the start of the match was difficult for FC Supra. Quickly under pressure by the Nova Scotia team, Supra eventually found themselves trailing. A cross from the right, deflected by Matisse Chrétien's arm, gave Halifax a penalty, which Isaiah Johnson converted, sending Joakim Milli the wrong way.
The penalty woke up Supra. From then on, Marco Carducci, in the Halifax goal, was very busy. Diyeaddine Abzi, very active on his left flank, was the first to shoot, before Rea and Calaidjoglu also forced the goalkeeper into action.
It was no surprise then, when FC Supra equalized. Ibrahim Condé, alone up front, pressed Carducci to win a corner. Rea found Bey at the far post, whose header was cut back to Charles Auguste. The right-back unleashed a shot that Matisse Chrétien deflected into Carducci's net in the 26th minute.
A first home goal in Supra history, a first goal for the defender, and a "stupid" goal according to Wanderers head coach Vanni Sartini after the match. "That goal was the turning point of the game," he said. "But we didn't stick to the game plan. We didn't capitalize on our opportunities, and in that case, it's logical to lose." Indeed, Halifax lost their footing.
Supra could have taken the lead in the 30th minute, were it not for a fine save by Carducci on a low-angle shot from David Choinière, followed by good reflexes on the rebound from Thomas Meilleur-Giguère. The Halifax defender cleared the ball with the tip of his foot as Bey and Rea rushed to put it into the empty net.
Coming back strong after the break, the Wanderers thought they had regained control of the match, creating two chances and having a Johnston goal disallowed for offside.
But Supra withstood the pressure, and led by a brilliant performance from Sean Rea (yet again), FC Supra delivered another collective masterclass in the final half hour and ultimately secured a deserved victory.
Safwane Mlah, who came on 15 minutes earlier, sent the large crowd at CEPSUM wild by heading home a superb cross from the ever-present Rea, beating Carducci to make it 2-1 in the 77th minute.
Su[ra earned three valuable points after yet another strong performance. Razzaghi says often that Supra will experience ups and downs this season. However, the downs have been few and far between thus far. Does he still see areas where this team can improve? "When you have the chance to kill off games, you have to take it," he replied. "We've had opportunities to score more goals, we need to convert our chances. This gives reason to dream of an even more entertaining spectacle in the future.
BOX SCORE
Starting XIs
FC Supra du Québec : Milli; Abzi, Chrétien, Yéo (Ferdinand 38'), Auguste; Biello (Mlah; 63e), Calaidjoglu (Sissoko 63'); Rea, Bey (Kaboré (90'), Choinière (Wandje 90'), Conde
Halifax Wanderers : Carducci; Linder, Meilleur-Giguère, Sow, Troisi; Zitman, Olguin (Bai; 84') Johnston (Rampersad; 72'), Godinho (Ciccarelli; 84'); Arilla (Bahamboula; 65'), Kachwele
Goals
12' Isaiah Johnston (Halifax Wanderers)
26' Matisse Chrétien (FC Supra du Québec)
77' - Safwane Mlah (FC Supra du Québec)
Discipline
17' -- Yellow: Sven Zitman ( Halifax Wanderers)
45+1' -- Yellow: Isaiah Jonhston ( Halifax Wanderers)
48' -- Yellow: DIyeaddine Abzi ( FC Supra du Québec ) - Jaune - 48e
58' -- Yellow: Alessandro Biello ( FC Supra du Québec)
85' -- Yellow: Safwane Mlah (FC Supra du Québec)
CPLSoccer.com Player of the Match
Matisse Chrétien (FC Supra)
The young Québécois defener scored FC Supra's first home goal. He also delivere an excellent performance and adapted well to the change in central defence when Yeo went off injured and Keesean Ferdinand took his place.
What’s next?
FC Supra hosts Cavalry FC on Sunday, May 3 at Stade Boréale in Laval at 3 p.m. ET on OneSoccer and RDS Direct.
The Halifax Wanderers host Forge FC at the Wanderers Grounds on Sunday, May 2 at 2 p.m. ET on OneSoccer and CBC Cemp.
For complete broadcast schedule:
