Match Highlights
Separated by just one point in the standings, but sitting 9 and 10 points respectively from the playoff places, Inter Toronto and FC Supra were both in urgent need of points to remain in the playoff race.
,This game had all the makings of a pivotal moment in both teams’ seasons. It ultimately ended in a draw that leaves both teams still a long way from the playoffs (8 points for Supra, 9 for Inter Toronto).
“Winning is something you learn, and learning how to win is the hardest thing in sport,” Supra head coach Nick Razzaghi said after the match. “Being good and winning are two different things. Learning how to win takes time. I think we’re the only team in the league whose centre-backs and No. 6 are 20 years old. They’re facing a lot of challenges and doing a very good job of dealing with them. For the team as a whole, the message is that the younger you are, the more you have to learn, and we want to learn. When things aren’t going well, it’s often not the football that’s the problem; it’s the habit of winning, the habit of having that confidence that makes the difference. You have to be really strong. Sport is a mental game.”
Mauro Eustaquio, Inter Toronto’s head coach, admitted he was “disappointed with the result,” even though he felt it was “fair.”
“We knew it would be a difficult match and, as we always say, we needed a good performance. We know we started well and then had some difficult moments, but we never stopped working, we never stopped believing, and we will continue to work and fight,” he continued.
Things got off to a bad start for Supra, who were punished by Inter Toronto on their first incursion into the final third. Following a long throw-in, Supra’s defense sent the ball weakly back into the middle, straight to Steffen Yeates. From the edge of the box, the midfielder found Julian Altobelli unmarked near from goal, completely overlooked by Abzi. Ideally positioned, the striker made no mistake in beating Milli (1-0; 14th).
After taking the lead, Supra struggled to find Kwemi, Rea and Condé. The Quebec side were unable to create any real danger in front of Pavela’s goal, while Inter Toronto tried to make the difference on the counterattack, without managing to put another shot on target during the half.
The first half therefore unfolded without another clear-cut opportunity, and it took until the final minute for Pavela to make an authoritative save from Choinière’s effort from a tight angle (45th).
A Second Half Dominated by Supra
Inter Toronto thought they had doubled their lead right at the start of the second half through Altobelli, but the referee instead penalized the striker for making contact with the goalkeeper.
Still in the game after that incident, which could have put the match out of reach, FC Supra woke up offensively and took control for much of the final part of the game.
Toronto goalkeeper Pavela first showed his excellent positioning to keep out a close-range effort from Choinière following a corner (57th), but there was nothing he could do a few minutes later on Loïc Kwemi’s effort.
After being played in by Abzi, Choinière, at the penalty spot, laid the ball off to Kwemi, who was able to pick his spot past Pavela and equalize (1-1; 61st).
With the momentum still on their side, FC Supra continued to push, and Kwemi could have added a second goal had it not been for a spectacular save from Pavela, who tipped a shot heading for the top corner over the bar (65th).
Còrdova then came to his goalkeeper’s rescue, blocking Choinière’s effort as he met a cutback with the goal at his mercy (69th). Pavela then intervened once again to deny Choinière (73rd).
Throughout a second half that Supra dominated, the Quebec side continued to push, but they repeatedly found an inspired Pavela in goal.
The goalkeeper saved another attempt from Sean Rea from the edge of the box, before remaining focused on the set pieces.
FC Supra were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time after Abzi was sent off for a challenge on Pavela. Inter Toronto and FC Supra ultimately shared the points, a result that does little to help either side in the standings.
Starting XI
Inter Toronto: Pavela; Sturing, Leòn, Singh; Còrdova, Bassett (Kibato; 68th), Yeates, Gùzman; Almagro, Skublak, Altobelli (Badibanga; 57th)
FC Supra: Milli; Abzi, Chrétien, Ferdinand, Sissoko (Auguste; 83rd); Mlah, Biello, Rea (Fernandez 90+4); Choinière (Bey; 78th), Kwemi, Condé
Goals
Altobelli (Inter Toronto) – 14th
Kwemi (FC Supra) – 61st
Cards
Almagro (Inter Toronto) – 15th – Yellow card
Condé (FC Supra) – 34th – Yellow card
Choinière (FC Supra) – 42nd – Yellow card
Skublak (Inter Toronto) – 64th – Yellow card
Abzi (FC Supra) – 68th – Yellow card
Guzmàn (Inter Toronto) – 69th – Yellow card
Leòn (Inter Toronto) – 87th – Yellow card
Kibato (Inter Toronto) – 89th – Yellow card
Abzi (FC Supra) – 90+3 – Second yellow card = red card
Auguste (FC Supra) – 90+8 – Yellow card
Player of the Match **CPLSoccer.com**
Ivan Pavela – Inter Toronto
The Inter Toronto goalkeeper was instrumental for his team. Relatively untested for an hour, he then made save after save and provided reassurance at crucial moments. Without him, the result could have been very different for Inter Toronto.
Next Match
FC Supra host Forge FC on August 28 at 7 p.m. ET.
Inter Toronto travel to Atlético Ottawa on August 28 at 7 p.m. ET.