Gods smiled on AEK side
CPSL president Vince Ursini was happy to see the amateur club beat the pro team.
KATHY RUMLESKI, Free Press Sports Reporter 2003-07-02 03:42:10
The gods were with London AEK Olympic last night. In a battle between Olympic and the Olympians, Zeus smiled on London and made it the first amateur team in Canadian Professional Soccer League history to beat a pro side.
AEK defeated the CPSL's Mississauga Olympians 2-1 in Canada Cup action at Cove Road field.
This year was the first time the league opened its Cup to amateur teams.
"You don't need money to be a good team. You don't have to get paid. It's for the love of the game," said AEK goalkeeper John Dreliozis.
AEK played disciplined soccer all night and what the defence couldn't shut down Dreliozis did.
At the 60th minute mark, Dreliozis was pummeled with four shots by the Olympians in a shooting frenzy. Somehow the former Western Mustang, who also played in Greece, was able to keep them all out.
"I'm just doing my job," he said with a wide smile that showed his excitement at playing such a great game and getting an unbelievable outcome against a team that was the CPSL champion from 1998 to 2000.
CPSL president Vince Ursini said he was happy to see an amateur team beat one of the league squads.
"It makes the event more exciting and everyone loves a Cinderella story, especially the president," Ursini said.
Ryan Leigh opened the scoring for AEK in the 37th minute, getting away an awkward shot that bounced past Mississauga goalkeeper Dino Perri.
Matt Gallo scored with 12 minutes left in the game to put AEK up 2-0, but the Olympians weren't giving up.
They made it interesting by scoring with four minutes left, but the London squad stayed composed and held on for the victory.
"We played and stuck to the fundamentals," Dreliozis said. "We played our game and we played hard, that's all."
AEK will play the Durham Flames in the next Cup round, which will be played on the Civic Holiday weekend.
London City will play the St. Catharines Wolves.
City squeaked by the amateur Toronto Peniche team, needing a golden goal to do it on Monday night to advance to the next round.
The bids to host Round 3 of the Canada Cup are being considered this week and teams will be notified by Friday where they'll be playing.
City, who has been a host for the last two rounds, has put in a bid for Round Other cities being considered include Ottawa, Toronto, St. Catharines and Vaughan.
In another Cup game yesterday, the Durham Flames defeated the North York Astros 2-0. Both teams play in the CPSL.
Jamal Jupiter opened the scoring for Durham in the fourth minute. David Mills scored in the 66th.
The Canada Cup winner will receive $10,000.
The teams paid an entry fee of $595.
GAME GLANCE
London AEK 2, Mississauga 1
London AEK goals: Ryan Leigh, Matt Gallo
Mississauga goal: Geoff Atard
Next: CPSL action continues Friday at Cove Road field with London City facing St. Catharines at 8:30 p.m.
Copyright © The London Free Press 2001,2002,2003
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