Toronto Croatia wins 2012 CSL Championship
Posted on 27 October 2012 in Around the Soccer World
Toronto Croatia v Montréal Impact U21
A goal at the 83rd minute by midfielder Marin Vulemilovic-Grgic was enough to give Toronto Croatia a 1:0 victory and the Canadian Soccer League championship over Montréal Impact Academy (U21) at Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke on 27 October.
Marin Vulemilovic-Grgic struck the winner for Toronto Croatia, taking a pass from Hayden Fitzwilliams to score from 16 yards into the top corner of the net out of reach of Montréal’s goalkeeper Jason Beaulieu.
The younger Montréal Impact Academy – with four players selected for Canada’s Men’s U-20 National Team – had an edge in the first half with missed chances by midfielder Dominique Morin and defender Kai Morton, but the more experienced Toronto Croatia team, fielding seven players having played in European leagues, looked stronger as the game progressed. Tihomir Maletic missed narrowly and Vulemilovic-Grgic was a constant threat on the academy’s goal.
“They were speedy and played well early, but following the interval we kept up our attacking style and that paid off with the goal for our second championship in two years,” said Velimir Crljen, head coach of Toronto Croatia after the final whistle.
It was a repeat win for Toronto Croatia, who had defeated Capital City of Ottawa 1:0 to win the CSL Championship in 2011.
