York United had beaten Pacific FC 4-3 on spot-kicks in the quarter-finals following an exciting 2-2 draw in regular time.
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York United’s dream run in this year’s Canadian Championship has continued, with the side yet again surviving a penalty shootout. This time, they had beaten Pacific FC 4-3 on spot-kicks in the quarter-finals following an exciting 2-2 draw in regular time. York thereby secured their first-ever semi-final place in this competition. Earlier, in the preliminary round, York got the better of Atletico Ottawa in a penalty shootout. With momentum on their side, York will hope to maintain this good run of form in the last-four encounter next month.
Football fans were in for a feast as the action-packed encounter started with a bang. Pacific started on the front foot and could have taken the lead as early as the 3rd minute. Alejandro Diaz found himself isolated behind the York’s defence after a brilliant through ball by Josh Heard. However, Chrisnovic N’Sa got back in time to disrupt Diaz’s shot. The scoreline remained goalless but the early piece of action indicated what was in store for the fans. Pacific’s positive start was rewarded with them nabbing the opener in the 11th minute.
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Luca Ricci, who was making his first Pacific start, put in a beautiful cross from a corner. Amer Đidić did really well to guide it home from the edge of the six-yard box to put his side in front. Buoyed by the momentum, Pacific were in search of a second and it almost came in the 21st minute when Kunle Dada-Luke found Marco Bustos alone in the box. However, his right-footed shot sailed narrowly over the crossbar from close range.
Soon, York started to find their feet in the game. In the 24th minute, Lowell Wright received a delightful ball into the box from Noah Verhoeven, however, it was deflected wide by a defender for a corner. From the following corner, Diyaeddine Abzi delivered a beautiful cross into the back post. An unmarked Roger Thomspon converted the header with little difficulty for the equaliser. In no time, York found themselves in front. Minutes later, Wright found Osaze De Rosario at the centre of the box, and the York’s leading scorer converted his header into the back post to give his team the lead.
Then, York almost increased their advantage when Sebastian Gutierrez cut inside and produced a deadly strike, which kissed the post on the way out for a goal kick. With no more goals to either side, the first half finished 2-1 in favour of York. The second half started with Pacific imposing themselves more in the match. At the start of the second period, York’s Niko Giantsopoulos produced two brilliant saves to keep his side in front. Pacific kept pushing till the end and got their reward deep into injury time.
Đidić received the ball in the box and produced a stunning left-footed volley, which sailed into the corner of the goal. The centre-back’s second goal of the match means the game will now head into a penalty shootout. It started with both sides converting three of their first four penalties. Then, Jordan Wilson scored from his spot kick before Giantsopoulos saved Bustos’ effort to register the thrilling win for York.
