The Burnaby Central Wildcats are back at the Show.
The AAA senior boys soccer team locked up a berth to the provincial championships with a 1-0 victory over West Vancouver on Tuesday, avoiding an elimination game on Wednesday in the process.
The Burnaby-New West league champions, who were recently ranked No. 1 in B.C., now can focus on bringing their best to the championship tournament, which runs Nov. 26 to 28 at Burnaby Lake Complex.
“(West Van) is a very strong team in a strong North Shore league, so that we played so well and had an edge throughout the game, was a great sign,” remarked assistant coach Anto Steko.
Despite holding an edge in possession and winning battles during the first half, it wasn’t until nearly the whistle when Stefan Cuk put the Wildcats in front. He took a nifty cross from Nathan Graziano and slotted it to the far post to make it 1-0 at half.
“It was very big because we missed so many good chances (in the first half),” said Steko. “We were hovering, hovering for that goal but you know how it is if you don’t put it away -- it can come back and bite you.”
Also playing well were Boubecor Diarai and Brady Hughes.
While West Van pushed forward for a good part of the second half, Burnaby Central maintained its cool and didn’t allow more than a few passes beyond the 18-yard mark.
“They didn’t get to penetrate at all; our defence was extremely strong,” said Steko.
“What this did is give us real confidence moving forward. We kind of have a better idea of how we fit with the better teams.”
Alpha advances to AA provincials
There seemed to be no doubt.
A tough loss a week earlier in the Burnaby-New West league final proved to be positive re-inforcement for the Alpha Aztecs, who vaulted to the B.C. AA championship tournament with a 2-0 victory over Sutherland on Tuesday.
Goals by Lucas Carneiro and Liam Joe early in the second half were the difference, although Alpha held a strong advantage during the winner-take-all affair.
"It was a strong game from both sides but our guys prevailed because they just had that little extra; they wanted it more," remarked Aztecs coach Antoni Salov. "We were just stronger skill-wise and passing-wise. We let the ball do the work."
After a scoreless first half, Alpha grabbed the lead 10 minutes into the frame on a nifty give-and-go between Chris Yorke and Carneiro. Five minutes later, Joe finished off a Vinicius Soreaux set-up to double the lead.
Salov credited Grade 12 midfielder Andreas Alves with a stellar performance.
"He was the best player on the pitch for us," said Salvos. "He was on a mission."
That mission was to ensure what occurred last year, where Alpha's window to the provincials closed early on an upset loss at the hands of a North Vancouver team, wasn't repeated.
While Sutherland threatened -- missing a couple of close chances, including overshooting an open net -- Alpha is now heading to the Burnaby Lake West-hosted tournament, which runs Nov. 23 to 25.
"(Sutherland) had a couple of quick counter attacks and they had a couple of golden opportunities but in the end they couldn't score," remarked Salov. "I'm just excited for these kids, it's two years to get here. Now we've got at three games left and anything can happen."
The Burnaby North Vikings, meanwhile, saw their season end in an 8-1 loss to Argyle in the other AAA district playdown.
Trailing 1-0 af the half, North was no match for their North Shore rival. Mihai Hodut scored Burnaby's lone tally.
Despite the score, the team gave a solid effort and didn't lose their cool.
"The boys played hard right down to the final whistle," said coach Deborah Peters. "They played with dignity and class and I am very proud of the way they represented North."
