Fury FC Eliminated from Playoff Contention with 1-1 Draw against Battery
Published on October 2, 2017 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Ottawa 67's News Release
Fury FC Eliminated from Playoff Contention with 1-1 Draw against Battery
(Ottawa 67's)
OTTAWA - Fury FC continued their push for the final playoff position on Sunday afternoon. Steevan Dos Santos put the home-side up 1-0 in the 16^th minute, as Fury FC looked like a team on a mission in the first half. A world-class finish by substitute Heviel Cordoves in the 85^th minute delivered a crushing blow to Ottawa's playoff hopes to help 10-man Charleston claim a 1-1 draw and officially eliminating Fury FC from playoff contention.
With their playoff hopes in the balance, Fury FC came onto the pitch at TD Place with everything to play for. Opting for a rarely used 4-4-2, it was clear that Julian de Guzman was looking for different ways to capitalize on their possession and offensive chances in recent games.
The Fury FC gaffer was forced to make an early substitution in the 8^th minute as the slight frame of Ugandan international Azake Luboyera combined full speed with the 6'5 210lb frame of Charleston Batter defender Forrest Lasso.
Fury FC continued on full force ahead, taking much of the possession in the first quarter of the game. After Onua Obasi had created numerous chances down the left-hand side, Carl Haworth switched play over to the right flank, delivering a solid low cross into the box for Steevan Dos Santos who's initial shot was blocked but would bury his own rebound. Dos Santos' 16th-minute marker set a new Fury FC record for the most regular-season goals at 9.
Playing the better brand of football, Fury FC were impressive in the first half, enjoying 55% of possession. They survived a late scare in the additional minute of the half as a late corner was delivered to the near post where it met defender Neveal Hackshaw who directed the ball onto the post before Fury FC managed to clear before the closing whistle.
At the halftime break, coach de Guzman stressed the importance of playing both with character and for the badge, in order to conserve the lead and finish the game with all 3 points.
Fury FC started the second half looking like a team possessed as a great link-up play produced another chance for Steevan Dos Santos to hit double digits in the 51^st minute - shaving a hard ball just wide of the back post.
The Fury continued to fight for the insurance marker as Adonijah Reid's footwork in the box left him with a glorious chance to curl a left-footer beyond Odisnel Cooper, who made a full-stretched effort to stymie Reid in the 54^th minute.
Charleston was reduced to 10-men in the 59^th minute as Forrest Lasso was ejected for his second yellow card of the match. After playing against an opposition reduced to 10 men last game against Harrisburg City FC, this marked the second game in a row where Fury FC faced an opposition down a man - with considerable time remaining in the match.
As possession began to even out towards the latter stages of the second half, Charleston Battery seemed to feed off of their 59th-minute ejection.
After a Fury FC turnover, a diagonal cross found Heviel Cordoves who made his way into the box, cut inside on Eddie Edward then drilled a right-footed strike into the top corner past Callum Irving.
Despite a late wave of pressure from Fury FC, they would have to settle for a single point as the match finished in a 1-1 draw - their 6^th draw in 7 matches.
The attendance of 4,587 pushes the total TD Place attendance for the weekend to 53,900 which includes Friday's soldout REDBLACKS game (24,893) and Saturday's record-setting Panda Game (24,420).
Tickets for the October 8th Fan Appreciation game are available at are available at OttawaFuryFC.com/Tickets 49e66ed25&e8823a1e476), by calling 613.232.6767 X1 or in person at The Box Office at TD Place.
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 Fury FC Eliminated from Playoff Contention with 1-1 Draw against Battery |
Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 2, 2017
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