June 19, 2009 CSL Serbian White Eagles vs TFC Academy (from TorontoFC.ca)
Mixed weekend for Academy teams
Seniors defeated but Junior team wins
06/22/2009 09:45 AM
TorontoFC.ca
Toronto FC's Senior and Junior Academy teams were in action over the weekend with mixed results. The Senior Academy team were beaten 5-2 by defending Champions Serbian White Eagles in the Canadian Soccer League. They were 5-0 down at half time and despite scoring twice after the break, fell to their first defeat of the season in the CSL.
Allando Matheson and James Stamopoulos scored the goals for TFC. Amadou Sanyang was sent off just before half time.
"We learned some harsh lessons about football," said Head Coach Jason Bent. "Serbia is a very good team with some fantastic players in key attacking positions. You have to give credit where credit is due because some of their movement off the ball was very good at times. We looked naïve and allowed certain situations to develop as opposed to being more commanding and taking responsibility on the defensive end."
"You cannot give space to good players in and around your own 18 yard box. The red card ejection of Amadou Sanyang for a reckless challenge in the 45th minute did not do us any favors. We came out in the second half with more determination and a sense of urgency which was a consolation. We scored two very good goals but in the end we were never going to get anything out of the match. This is our first taste of defeat in a long time and quite often you learn more about your team and players in trying times," said Bent.
In the Canadian Soccer League Reserve Division, the Junior Reds beat Brampton Dixie Lions 1-0. They earned the win thanks to a late winner from Matias Naalband as Aaron Schneebeli played a superb ball through the back line of Brampton. Naalband weaved his way into the box and slotted home the winner in the 88th minute. Garrett Cyprus earned the shut-out for the Academy.
Academy Manager Stuart Neely thought it was a fiercely contested match. "Every team wants to beat us and every match is like a cup final for us. This only helps our young boys develop and learn to deal with pressure situations and find ways to win. We are becoming wiser to match conditions but there is still a long way to go before we can say we are a solid group," he said.
"Oscar Cordon played a magnificent match along with Vince Sasso who had some speedy players to contend with and was in tough all day long. The team needs to learn to move the ball quicker and be more assertive on restarts. We miss golden opportunities in tight matches and if that keeps happening, eventually it will come back to haunt you," said Neely.
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