A late goal from Mikael Cantave saw Vancouver Football Club (VFC) edge a 3-2 victory over the premier league's Fulham FC鈥檚 U21 team in a single-game exhibition match held last week in Kamloops.
Vancouver put together a squad composed of select first-team players under the name 鈥榁ancouver FC U-23.鈥� It included midfielder Vasco Fry, who captained the squad alongside goalkeeper Niko Giantsopoulos, Joey Buchanan, Matteo Campagna, David Norman, Anthony White, T.J. Tahid, Thomas Powell, Kembo Kibato, Sebastian Dzikowski, and Jose Navarro.
The back-and-forth match saw VFC Eagles midfielder Kibato open the scoring in the seventh minute, after Buchanan ran down the right side creating an opportunity to pounce on a loose ball inside the box.
The Eagles continued a strong start to the match, creating numerous opportunities, but failing to add anymore goals in the first half.
Fulham FC U21 found an equalizer in the 22nd minute from a wide set piece, as Tom Olyott鈥檚 shot snuck through the wall beating Giantsopoulos at the near post. Fulham would capitalize again just before halftime and end the first 45 minutes up a goal, as Olyott would score his second of the match from inside the six-yard box.
VFC made several substitutions in the second half bringing on Elage Bah, Allan Enyou, Tyler Crawford, Gabriel Bitar, Mikael Cantave, Zach Verhoven, and Moses Dyer.
Giantsopoulos would make an excellent save from close range at the back post in the opening minutes on the second half to keep the Eagles in the match. It was a crucial stop from Giantsopoulos, as it set the tone for a resolute defensive performance from the rest of the backline in the second half.
Some excellent link-up play between Dyer and Cantave in the 77th minute put the Haitian attacker through on goal, forcing the Fulham goalkeeper to make a good save.
A tireless supporting run from VFC fullback Crawford was rewarded with an opportunity to pounce on the rebound, and Crawford scored his first goal for the club, tying the match 2-2 in the process.
The Eagles pushed in the final stages for a winning goal and their efforts would be rewarded.
As Bah picked up a ball on the right flank, he looked up and put a pin-point cross in the path of Cantave inside the six-yard box.
Cantave鈥檚 light touch on the ball was enough to beat the Fulham FC goalkeeper, giving VFC the 3-2 lead in the 82nd minute.
With the final whistle sounding VFC clinched a win in the inaugural Kamloops International Cup and were greeted by enthusiastic fans as both teams stayed to sign autographs post-game.
Jeevin Kang, director of football for Vancouver FC, said the 91原创-based team was excited to be part of the inaugural competition.
鈥淓vents such as these are a great way to connect local fans with the global game while also building international relationships to demonstrate that young Canadian footballers can compete with the world鈥檚 best,鈥� Kang said.
Fans looking to watch the exchange between Vancouver FC U23鈥檚 and Fulham FC U21 can do so on the Kamloops International Cup .
The Eagles next match is at home this coming Sunday, Aug. 11, when VFC hosts Pacific FC and looks to make it five derby victories in a row against the Vancouver Island team.
Tickets to VFC鈥檚 Derby match against Pacific FC can be purchased .
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