Ottawa win 3:2 over HFX in first leg of Qualifying Round 3 of 2019 Canadian Championship

Ottawa Fury FC prevailed in its first ever meeting against HFX Wanderers by a 3:2 margin on 10 July in Halifax. It was a full house at Wanderers Grounds to watch leg one of third round qualifying of the 2019 Canadian Championship. With three away goals and the victory, Fury FC will only need a result in the return leg to advance. Ottawa host the rematch with HFX on Wednesday 24 July at TD Place Stadium.

Hometown fans witnessed their club challenge a USL side in a competitive match for the first time. It was an entertaining opening frame. Ottawa struck first on a left-footed blast into the top corner by Thiago De Freitas (23’). That goal was set up by a clever heel pass by Chris Mannella.

Less than ten minutes later, Akeem Garcia was tripped up in the box by goalkeeper Callum Irving. Luis Alberto Perea converted the penalty with a right footed strike. Moments later, it was a near replay of Ottawa’s first goal. It was De Freitas, again with his left foot. He smashed it into the same corner of the goal. Going into halftime, the Brazilian had a brace and Ottawa had the lead.

HFX thought they had equalized early in the second half. Kourouma’s free kick was headed into the goal by Andre Bona, but the play was ruled offside (53’). Shortly thereafter, they would draw level on an own goal by Dakota Banathan. It was Perea’s low cross from close range that Banathan had trouble dealing with: he bundled it into his own net.

Only minutes after entering the match, it was the substitute Maxim Tissot that restored Ottawa’s lead. From a Christiano Francois pass, with defenders closing in, Tissot was quick to react, bent the ball over Williams into the top of the goal. The fantastic finish stood up to be the winner. The Wanderers did nearly level the match at the death. Off a corner kick, Bona headed it on goal, but it was right into the arms of Irving.

Halifax Wanderers Starting XI had captain Jan-Michael Williams in goal. The 4-2-3-1 formation included Canadians Ndzemdzela, Matthew Arnone along with Peter Schaale and Andre Bona from left to right. Canadian Elliott Simmons and Andre Rampersad the defensive midfielders. Canadian Mohammed Kourouma alongside Akeem Garcia and Kodai Lida the offensive midfielders from left to right. The lone striker was Luis Alberto Perea.

Coach Stephen Hart brought on two Canadians, both in the 74thminute. Simmons was replaced by Chrisnovic N’sa and Ndzemdzela Langwa with Alex De Carolis.

Ottawa Fury FC starting XI had Canadian Callum Irving in goal. In a 4-3-3 formation, Onua Obasi, Dakota Barnathan, alongside Canadians Thomas Meilleur-Giguere and Captain Carl Haworth made up the backline from left to right. Thiago De Freitas, Charlie Ward and Canadian Chris Mannella from left to right in the midfield. Kevin Oliveira, Canadian Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare, and Christiano Francois the forwards.

Ottawa coach Nikola Popovic used each of his three substitutions in the second half. De Freitas was replaced by Canadian Maxim Tissot (64’), Haworth with Canadian Jamar Dixon (71’), and Oliveira with Protais Mutambala (89’).