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CPL Atletico Ottawa

Morelli Brace Lifts HFX over Atlético Ottawa

September 29, 2021 - Canadian Premier League (CPL)
Atletico Ottawa News Release


Atlético Ottawa vs. HFX Wanderers
Atlético Ottawa vs. HFX Wanderers
(Atletico Ottawa, Credit: HFX Wanderers / Trevor MacMillan)

HFX Wanderers FC picked up a crucial home win on Wednesday night in Nova Scotia as talisman Joao Morelli scored yet another brace en route to a 2-1 over Atlético Ottawa.

Heading into this one, HFX coach Stephen Hart made just two changes to the squad that beat FC Edmonton over the weekend, as Mamadi Camara and Cory Bent came into the attack in place of Alex Marshall and Sam Salter. Ottawa, likewise, made two changes after their 3-1 win over Cavalry FC on Saturday, as Miguel Acosta slotted back in at right-back and Chris Mannella came into midfield for Tevin Shaw.

The game was fairly cagey in the opening stages as the two familiar foes tried to feel each other out - by the end of the first half, the teams had managed just six total shots between them. Still, HFX had a few good chances in the early going, with Stefan Karajovanovic being denied point-blank by Dylon Powley in what looked like it might be a sure goal for the Gatineau native. At the other end, Ryan Telfer got his head on a good cross at the back post, but he couldn't direct the ball downward and instead headed it over the crossbar.

The Wanderers did draw first blood before halftime, though; Ottawa left-back Vashon Neufville, attempting to chase down Cory Bent on a surging run, ran into his fellow Englishman in the box and Bent went to ground to win the penalty kick. Joao Morelli, cool as ever, stepped up to the spot to score his 13th goal of the 2021 season - eclipsing the 12 scored by Golden Boot winner Tristan Borges in the 2019 regular season.

Not long into the other side of the halftime break, the Wanderers struck again. With the home side surging forward on a counter-attack, the ball fell to Morelli at the top of the box and the Brazilian fired it past Powley from distance for a stunning second goal of the night.

Atlético Ottawa would not bow out at that point, though. After struggling to get a foothold for some time, the visitors finally found a breakthrough just before the 70-minute mark as the ball popped out of a duel in the box to find Ryan Telfer, who finished well through traffic to make it 2-1. Telfer nearly equalized himself just a few minutes later, too, as he found himself played through on goal through the Wanderers' backline, but Peter Schaale did well to recover and make a well-timed tackle to steer it to safety.

With the Wanderers' lead cut to just one, the final stages of the game were a high-energy spectacle, with Ottawa looking to unlock the defence and HFX nearly striking on the counter a few times. Morelli had a shout for another penalty around the 80-minute mark after hard contact with a defender, but the referee waved it off. Ultimately, the finish to this match was a lot more nervy for HFX than perhaps they expected after Morelli's second goal, but they managed to hang on for the win.

Having picked up an important three points at home, the Wanderers moved to within one point of York United for the fourth and final playoff spot before the two sides face each other this weekend.

BOX SCORE

Goals

45+3 ‚¬Â² - Joao Morelli (HFX Wanderers FC)

54 ‚¬Â² - Joao Morelli (HFX Wanderers FC)

68 ‚¬Â² - Ryan Telfer (Atlético Ottawa)

Discipline

33 ‚¬Â² - Yellow: Mamadi Camara (HFX Wanderers FC)

45+2 ‚¬Â² - Yellow: Vashon Neufville (Atlético Ottawa)

78 ‚¬Â² - Yellow: Kieran Baskett (HFX Wanderers FC)

85 ‚¬Â² - Yellow: Stefan Karajovanovic (HFX Wanderers FC)

Check out the Atletico Ottawa Statistics




Images from this story

Atlético Ottawa vs. HFX Wanderers
Atlético Ottawa vs. HFX Wanderers
(HFX Wanderers / Trevor MacMillan)		   



Canadian Premier League Stories from September 29, 2021


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