Against an all-Quebec team, Forge FC saw the light and secured all three points thanks to… a young Quebecer.
Having joined Hamilton this year, Aghilas Sadek, 18, scored a classy late goal to help his team reclaim the top spot they had been targeting at the start of the game after surrendering it to Cavalry in their previous match.
With a beautiful curling strike, Sadek beat Milli and brought the scoring to a close after an entertaining and eventful match (3-2, final score).
For this match, which was particularly important in the standings for FC Supra, coach Nick Razzaghi opted for numerous changes. Sean Rea, who was slightly injured, as well as Diyaeddine Abzi, were not on the pitch and the bench, while Loïc Kwemi started on the bench.
Instead, the younger and less frequently used players were given an opportunity. Ryad Bey, Thomas Lebeuf, Sasha Deslandes and, for the second consecutive game, Omar Elkalkouli had the opportunity to prove their worth from the opening whistle.
It was, however, Ibrahim Condé, who had provided an assist in the previous match against Ottawa and scored in the Canadian Championship, who proved to be the right choice on the day.
The striker opened the scoring with a true poacher’s goal. Following the rebound from a long-range effort by Ryad Bey, who was very active on the left wing, Condé gave Supra the lead (1-0; 12th).
The Montreal team, however, quickly fell back into its old habits. First, they were particularly naive in leaving Hoce Massunda completely unmarked in the box following some intelligent play from Tristan Borges. The young winger’s low shot across goal gave Milli no chance (1-1; 22nd).
Charles Auguste then chose karate over marking while defending a corner, conceding a penalty that Nimick converted (2-1; 30th).
Ibrahim Condé, however, was having a great night.
The striker showcased his positioning, skill and opportunism to equalize before halftime. David Choinière, on the right, sent a low cross towards Charles Auguste, who had moved forward. The former midfielder completely missed his attempt, but allowed Condé, perfectly positioned behind him, to strike the ball with the inside of his foot and send it into the back of the net (2-2; 39th).
The first half proved highly entertaining, but the second was much more tactical.
Both teams appeared wary of their opponents, avoiding exposing themselves too much.
But Supra does not know how to finish games, and Forge FC once again took perfect advantage of it.
Sadek, who came on at halftime in place of Borges, became the saviour before being forced off injured late in the game.
Forge FC are back on top. Supra remain 9 points out of the playoffs, following Atlético Ottawa’s emphatic win over Vancouver FC.
“The most important thing for us was to get three points and get back into first place,” said Forge FC coach Bobby Smyrniotis. “We scored three goals, which was also important for us. Three goals, three points, that’s very good.”
For Supra, there was mainly “a bitter taste” left from the game, according to Ibrahim Condé.
“There’s a bit of frustration because we concede an exceptional goal and there are details that don’t go our way,” admitted Nick Razzaghi. “It seems like luck isn’t coming our way and in life, you have to create your own luck. We have to go further and take this in a positive way, even if it doesn’t look that way.”
Starting XI
Forge FC: Bertaud; Krutzen, Nimick, Batisse, Bourgeois; Bekker (Aromatario; 64th), Paton, Borges (Sadek; 46th; Bruno 90+1); Ampomah (Babouli; 69th), Massunda (Tavernier; 75th), Aketokoun (Wright; 69th)
FC Supra: Milli; Lebeuf (Makarova; 81st), Deslandes, Ferdinand, Auguste (Fernandz; 90th); Biello (Sissoko; 81st), Elkalkouli, Mlah; Bey (Kwemi; 64th), Choinière (Bayiha; 81st), Condé
Goals
Ibrahim Condé 12'
Hoce Massunda 22'
Daniel Nimick 30' (pen.)
Ibrahim Condé 39'
Aghilas Sadek 77'
Cards
Auguste (FC Supra) – 29th – Yellow card
Aromatario (Forge FC) – 65th – Yellow card
Kwemi (FC Supra) – 73rd – Yellow card
Player of the Match **CPLSoccer.com**
Preferred over Loïc Kwemi in the starting XI, Ibrahim Condé repaid the confidence shown in him by scoring a brace and displaying an impressive range of qualities. Author of two genuine centre-forward goals, he also made numerous runs to press his opponent. Less prominent in the second half, he nevertheless delivered an excellent performance.
Next match
FC Supra travel to face Inter Toronto on August 23 at 4 p.m. ET.
Forge FC host Pacific FC on August 22 at 7 p.m. ET.