With a bit of a history between the two, the Coastal A Cup semifinal was guaranteed to be a battle.
A battle the Burnaby Metro Select FC would take to the bank.
League rivals all year long, Burnaby and the regular season champion Port Moody Selects had met two times previously during the year, with the results a 1-1 tie and a 1-0 Port Moody win. But with both Provincial and Coastal cup berths on the line, Saturday’s test was a whole new ball game.
The under-15 boys Selects traded kicks and possession with their Port Moody rivals through a spirited affair, eventually copping a ticket to the Coastal championship final on the strength of a 2-1 overtime victory.
Striker Richard Culleton demonstrated his marksmenship with two brilliant goals in the road win, including the game-winner off a penalty kick with seconds remaining in the final 10-minute overtime session.
He scored on a breakaway in the first half, which ended with Burnaby up 1-0. Port Moody drew even minutes into the second half off a penalty kick, setting the stage for extra time.
Deadlocked after regulation, the two teams went through one scoreless extra period and nearly a second one with less than a minute before a shootout when a good scoring chance was turned into a penalty kick.
Culleton, who shook off a knock suffered in the first extra session, returned to the field with a handful of minutes to play and would get an opportunity to end it.
Taking a pass through the middle with one defender to beat, Culleton was brought down and handed one shot to finish it. He didn’t miss.
Port Moody pressed frantically for the equalizer and moved the ball into Burnaby’s zone before the final whistle sounded, sending Burnaby into next week’s Coastal Cup final against Vancouver Santos.
That game, which will take place in Aldergrove, pits Burnaby against the No. 8-team in regular season play. In their two league encounters, the results were 0-0 and 2-1 for Burnaby.
Metro girls roll to final
For most members of the Burnaby Metro girls u18 Selects this is the last hurrah, so they are going to make it last as long as possible.
With all but two players set to leave the minor soccer ranks due to graduation, the squad has set its sights on a few big prizes.
Already crowned as the regular season select champions after going 14-1-1, Burnaby added a Coastal A Cup final spot to its check list.
The soccer team extended its run to the Coastal final – along with a berth to the Provincials in July – by clipping Surrey-Guildford 3-1 in their semifinal match last week.
Anjali Dhaliwal put Burnaby on the board first with a goal late in the first half. Teammate Nicole Bell increased the lead to 2-0 five minutes into the second frame when she headed home a well-crossed free kick by Danijela Gordic. Burnaby’s third tally came off the foot of u16 call-up Gabbi Zenone, who displayed some nice finish from the shortside.
Surrey closed the gap with a late marker but the game was virtually in the bag.
Turning in a stellar effort at centre-back was captain Ana Lukic.
Late tally propels Burnaby to Cup final
Timing is everything, but even sometimes it seems to get a little too close for comfort.
The Burnaby Metro boys u13 FC were staring at penalty kicks before striker Joey Cannova delivered the winning strike in a thrilling 1-0 triumph over Langley to advance to the Coastal A Cup championship final.
The win also secured a spot at the Provincal Cup tournament.
Cannova’s goal came against the flow of play, when a Langley miscue on their own 18-yard line and a slick pass from Haniel Cruz, presented the sure-footed shooter with the ball at the edge of the crease. Cannova made one deke and slid the ball into the far corner.
“We didn’t want to go to penalty shots, that’s for sure,” said head coach Matt Manfredi. “We’re a good team in penalty shots, but you never know. Langley played extremely well.”
The game ended after a dramatic corner kick by Langley was turned back.
Burnaby’s best scoring opportunity prior to the game-winner was a breakaway in the first half which saw Caleb Johnson labelled the ball for the far corner but Langley’s goalkeeper came up with a tremendous toe save.
At the other end, Harrison Port was rock-solid in holding Langley off the scoresheet, while the midfield tandem of Luke Aleong and Davi Cruz put up a determined front.
In other Coastal Cup play, the Burnaby Metro boys u13 FC slipped past Langley 1-0 and will take on Vancouver in the championship final.
In Coastal B Cup action, the Burnaby girls u15 Blaze delivered a strong effort only to fall 2-0 to Powell River.
Despite holding an edge in play, Burnaby was unable to beat the rival netminder while Powell River converted a pair of corner kicks.
The Blaze will play Langley with a berth to the provincials on the line.
