EDC FC Burnaby sent a imperial Cup message to Inter FC, edging the premier division club 2-1 in a Vancouver Metro Soccer League game last weekend.
Josh Hardy scored early in the second half and Rizal Ganief, with his 10th goal of the year, tallied the game winner with approximately 20 minutes to go in the match. Inter scored a late goal, spoiling the premier debut shutout for under-21 call-up and Cariboo Hill grad Juggy Dosanjh.
“It was a great win by the guys, one of the highest levels they've hit all season,” said EDC head coach Claudio Ramirez. “We’re a very confident team right now, not making very many mistakes on the defensive side and very astute on offence.”
EDC got solid defensive outings from Narcisse Tchoumi, Brendan Djambarov, Hussein Ibrahim and Gus Ramirez, who played very efficiently in front Dosanjh in goal.
The two teams will tangle again in two weeks time in the semifinals of the Imperial Cup at Burnaby Lake Sports Complex-West, Field 3 on Friday, March 20, beginning at 8 p.m.
“We’re looking forward to the Imperial Cup semis,” said Ramirez. “I don't think we saw the best version of Inter, as I know they were without VMSL 2014 player of the year, Alex Marrello, so we will approach that game with the same level of respect for the opponent as we did this game. They'll be looking forward to the rubber match and I think they will be very well prepared.” EDC and Inter drew 1-1 in their first meeting of the year back in November.
“We are peaking at just the right time and these three points now allows us to focus on the last two games for Provincial Cup purposes without the concern of the relegation race, which says a lot about the level of competition in the VMSL when a fourth-place team with two games remaining can finally breathe a little,” Ramirez said.
This Friday, EDC takes on Croatia SC A, which is also a final-four Imperial Cup semifinalist, this Friday at Burnaby Lake Sports Complex-West, Field 3, at 8 p.m.
