By Dan Plouffe
The home team put on a thrilling show for the large crowd in a key Ontario Player Development League match on Wednesday night at Millennium Park. Ottawa TFC rallied from being down 1-0 to the Ottawa South United Force, scoring two late goals to keep their championship aspirations alive in the under-15 boys’ division.
“The boys displayed great maturity and resilience by continuing to fight,” noted Ottawa TFC coach Cian Lynch. “They could have easily become frustrated as the game remained 1-0, but they maintained their confidence and found a way to win.”
Sharing the top spot in the OPDL premier division standings with Woodbridge, both teams had three wins and three draws each. The matchup provided an exciting finale for local fans in what were the last league games of the season for both clubs.
Read More: Full house for U15 soccer game shows soccer culture has arrived in Ottawa
“Having a big home crowd definitely helped us, and I think the red card also shifted momentum our way,” added Lynch, who hails from Ireland and is enjoying his coaching journey after injuries cut short his pro playing career.
OSU’s Navid Nazer played a crucial role in this match. He scored early within the first five minutes and later received a red card for taking down Teo Perras, who was breaking free towards goal early in the second half.
Despite being down a player, it took some time for Ottawa TFC to create significant scoring opportunities as OSU defended strongly. However, shortly after an OTFC goal was disallowed due to offside, U14 call-up Nolann Mulumba Ntumba scored from a rebound as his team’s mounting pressure finally paid off.
As stoppage time approached, an Ottawa TFC corner kick sailed past many players but found Alexander Guirguis, who headed it into the net for the winning goal. OSU almost equalized moments later, but goalkeeper Eric Frederico made several impressive saves to keep them at bay.
<p“Unbelievable game,” said Guirguis, his voice hoarse from celebrating. “There’s nothing better than coming back to score two late goals and win it. This is what we live for.”
Guirguis expressed confidence that his team would come back even while trailing deep into the match.
“We all had faith in one another. We know what we can achieve together; we just needed to keep playing,” he emphasized. “It was tough, but we fought hard every second of that game, and it paid off.”
This was their second encounter this season; their first meeting also drew an excited crowd as Ottawa TFC defeated last year’s OPDL east division champions 1-0.
Read More: Unbeaten Ottawa TFC U15 boys top reigning OPDL east-champion OSU Force in 1-0 grudge match win
I really enjoy this environment,” stated OSU coach Mohandi Mulay while expressing concern that both matches against Ottawa TFC this year – one in east division play and another in premier division – were scheduled as away games.
Mulay believed his players adjusted well to competing amidst such a lively atmosphere and managed their nerves effectively.
“Obviously having only ten players for most of the second half makes things tough when they’re constantly pushing with so much support behind them,” he said. “But I’m incredibly proud of how my guys competed.”
Mulay felt that although they deserved a better outcome based on their effort, results don’t always reflect performance.
“It was challenging but serves as good experience for us moving forward,” he reflected.
Ottawa TFC felt pressure too before this match knowing they likely needed a win to keep their title hopes alive.
“Not everyone gets the privilege of fighting for championships like we are now; that comes with its own pressure,” Lynch explained. “I tell them to cherish every moment because it’s truly special.”
Woodbridge currently leads in points thanks to goal differential if both teams end up tied after their remaining two matches.
That creates realistic chances of Ottawa TFC finishing second while OSU lands third-setting up another face-off during Charity Shield playoff semi-finals at Millennium Field-a scenario that’s got fans excited.
“We need to stay humble and prepare ourselves well next week,” Guirguis advised wisely.
Although returning to territory where they’ve faced challenges may not be ideal for them right now, Mulay indicated they’re ready for whatever lies ahead.
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OSU fresh off national bronze medal win
Canadian Player Development Program U15 boys’ national bronze-medallist OSU Force. Photo: OSU / Instagram Both teams recently faced Woodbridge-their target-and secured draws against them; Woodbridge won the Canadian Player Development Program championship less than a month ago.< paragraph os u also represented ontario at eight-team event due its opdl east title last season.< paragraph In group play os u fell 2 -1 coquitlam metro-ford then lost 3 -0 silver medallist as laval before defeating calgary foothills 3 -0 secure spot bronze medal final via tiebreaker.< paragraph Finally force triumphed spatial st-hubert 3 -2 claim national podium despite missing several members last year's championship squad transitioned professional academies.< paragraph "I'm immensely proud of our team." mulay stressed "we lost numerous players yet despite everything they're performing exceptionally well."Related
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