Fury FC Score Big Point in Indy
Published on April 9, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Ottawa Fury FC News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Ottawa Fury FC looked destined to capture all three points Saturday night in Indianapolis, but had to settle for the single-point with a 1-1 draw as Indy Eleven scored a last-minute equalizer. After a scoreless opening half, where Ottawa held a majority of the possession, Idan Vered opened the scoring in the 56th minute converting the cross-goal pass from Jonny Steele. Fury FC held the lead late into the match, but Nemanja Vukovic put home a rebound in the 89th minute to help Indy earn a point in their home opener.
While the team felt a better fate was deserved after dominating the vast majority of the match against their expansion cousins, head coach Paul Dalglish felt there was plenty of positives to look at.
"You're always disappointed to concede in the last minute but it's still a point on the road," said Dalglish. "It's our first point of the season, our first goal of the season and it's important to look at the positives. You need to get one point before you get two points. Now we have to keep improving, just like we had to do after New York we have to improve after this one."
While the home crowd ignited Indy Eleven to an energetic start, Paul Dalglish's side quickly settled into the match where their possession game quickly took over. The dangerous scoring opportunities were few and far between in the first half, but Fury went into the dressing room owning close to 65% of the possession registering close to 300 passes.
The second half began similar to the opening frame, but after Indy Eleven lost former Fury midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic to injury, Ottawa's midfielder took over the match.
Fury FC opened the scoring just before the hour mark when Idan Vered slid to finish off a cross from Jonny Steele beating Jon Busch at the back post. The action started with great work from Gerardo Bruna in the final third to hold on to the ball long enough to give time to Vered to time his run. Bruna's perfectly placed pass to Steele allowed the Northern Irish international to make a one-touch cross to an open Vered for the 1-0 lead.
The trio of James Bailey, Jonny Steele and captain Julian de Guzman were rock-solid in midfield. Bailey and de Guzman finished the night with some pretty impressive passing statistics - de Guzman completed 56 of his 60 passes during the game, while Bailey completed 25 of 27.
Indy Eleven spoiled Ottawa's impressive outing late in the game when Nemanja Vukovi? took advantage of a scramble in front of Romuald Peiser's net to tie the game at 1-1 in the 89th minute.
Fury FC are now unbeaten in four lifetime matches in Indianapolis (3W-1D-0L). Saturday night's match marked the first time Ottawa faced members of the 2015 Fall Season Championship squad.
In addition to Ubiparipovic, Nicki Paterson also lined up in the Indy midfield against his former club while defender Colin Falvey now wears the captain's armband for the Eleven.
Ottawa return to action next Saturday when they face another former Fury player in Drew Beckie in Carolina agains the RailHawks at 7:30 p.m.
Single game tickets for the NASL Spring Season are available now by clicking here or calling 613.599.FANS. Interested in more than just single game tickets? Fans can buy their 2016 Fury FC season here and become part of a growing legion of fans that has helped make TD Place a fortress.
North American Soccer League Stories from April 9, 2016
- RailHawks Win Thriller 3-2 at Rayo OKC - North Carolina FC
- History Repeats Itself as Miami FC Draws Tampa Bay, 1-1 - Miami FC
- Fury FC Score Big Point in Indy - Ottawa Fury FC
- Rowdies Pick up Road Point with 1-1 Draw in Miami - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Nemanja Vukovic's Late Goal Gives Indy Eleven Draw with Ottawa - Indy Eleven
- Eddies Visit Special Olympics Edmonton - FC Edmonton
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