June 12, 2009 CSL St Catharines Wolves vs Portugal FC (from CSL media release)
WOLVES NIP LONDON CITY 1-0 FRIDAY - SERBIAN EAGLES BEGIN CAMPAIGN TO RETAIN CSL TITLE - Clash with old rivals Croatia this Saturday
2009-06-11
A thumping header by St. Catharines Wolves’ midfielder Matt Cain at 13 minutes to beat London City ‘keeper Anthony Santilli was enough to give the Niagara Peninsula team a 1-0 victory at Cove Road, London, the only game in the CSL Friday night.
It was a well-played end-to-end encounter that could have gone either way, but the City failed to capitalize on several good chances that could have spelled victory for the home side.
London midfielder Patrick Bueno hit the Wolves’ crossbar in the second half and that followed earlier opportunities with Juan Londonog coming close.
But Claudio Perri in the St. Catharines goal looked sound all night and Wolves coasted to their second win in succession following a 2-0 defeat of North York Astros on June 3.
SERBIAN EAGLES MEET CROATIA SATURDAY
With the CSL season entering its third week, a surprising picture is emerging which shows an unbeaten young TFC Academy team (2-0-2 WLT) heading the National Division, while CSL defending champions Serbian White Eagles (1-0-1) have yet to find their feet at the foot of the International Division.
It’s all in the number of games played at this early stage of the season, of course, and that picture could change dramatically during the next two weeks.
TFC Academy’s next game is against the current CSL champions Serbian White Eagles on June 19 and that’s going to be a serious test for the TFC team while the Serbian side sets out on a regular season campaign to retain the title.
But at this moment, Serbian Eagles are focused on this Saturday’s game (Toronto’s Lamport Stadium at 3 p.m.) with Toronto Croatia, the first of two International Division games between these two teams this season. The Mississauga-based Croatia (2-0-1) looked strong in their 4-0 victory over Brampton Lions at Centennial Stadium on June 7. They won the CSL title in 2007.
Last season, Serbian White Eagles up-ended Toronto Croatia 2-0 on July 13 on their way to the CSL title and the two rivals tied 1-1 in a downpour on September 14.
“While there are certainly strong rivalries between teams in the International Division, everyone is focused on the field of play. Serbian White Eagles want to retain their CSL championship this year, but we have other thoughts and that’s what Saturday’s game is all about,” explained Pino Jazbec, general manager of Toronto Croatia earlier this week.
North York Astros make a rare trip to Shawinigan, Quebec for a clash on Saturday with last year’s CSL Championship finalist, Trois-Rivieres Attak.
There is one Sunday game when Italia Shooters travel to Victoria Park for a 3 pm game with Brampton Lions.
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