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FA Euro Advances to U18 Boys Final

12/11/2017, 10:30am EST
By CHRIS HOCKMAN - chris.hockman@uslsoccer.com

Cameron McGregor extra time goal seals win over South Orlando


Photo courtesy Aaron Cranford

BRADENTON, Fla. – A last second FA Euro penalty sent the U18 Boys semi-final sent the match to extra time when Cameron McGregor won the match, scoring the winner with five minutes to play in extra time to give FA Euro a 4-3 win over South Orlando.

It took just three minutes for FA Euro to open the scoring, with good passing movement sending the ball into the box. From the right hand side of the box David Montoya found space and sent a floating cross to the far post where Cameron McGregor was able to easily head home into the empty net.

FA Euro was not content with a 1-0 scoreline and kept on attacking, with Montoya getting forward on a regular basis, using his speed to get through the South Orlando defense. After being opened up four times by those runs, South Orlando started employing a smart offside trap which proved successful.

In the 19th minute FA Euro would have doubled the lead with Azizjon Ziyaev receiving the ball after stealing possession. He ran clean through on goal and dummied, cutting outside, only to see his shot well saved by.

In the 24th minute the second goal did finally come for FA Euro Ziyaev sent a short pass to Sory Kanate who had some space on the edge of the area. Kanate unleashed a powerful shot, perfectly to the top right corner of the net, leaving the keeper with no chance.

That lead was cut in half just one minute later when South Orlando scored the third goal of the match through Zachary Ricketts. FA Euro let its concentration down after the goal and that allowed Ricketts to pounce, scoring with a well-placed shot.

After seeing that lead cut in half, FA Euro went on the attack, pushing hard to restore the two goal cushion. But the Orlando South offside trap was perfect, regularly catching the FA Euro attacking players offside, keeping it 2-1 at half time.

In the 68th minute South Orlando equalized the scores after a free-kick was only partially cleared by FA Euro, falling back to the South Orlando attack. Ricketts was the benefactor, receiving the ball in space on the edge of the area, made a few steps to get in the box and then shot powerfully across the face of goal making it 2-2.

South Orlando hit the lead in the 73rd minute after quickly working the ball up from a free kick in their own half. After rapidly working forward, Ricketts found space on the left and hit another impressive shot to wrap up his hat-trick.

After going behind, FA Euro was relentless in attack trying to force extra time, but just could not break through. The best chance came on an 84th minute free kick as the ball was flicked on, but the player at the far post just couldn’t get on the end of it, a missed opportunity which would prove costly.

A 90th minute penalty sent the match to extra time, but it took two attempts, both taken by FA Euro forward Daniel Kazberuk. His first attempt scored, but was denied due to encroachment, forcing a re-take which he took to the exact same spot, low and to the keeper’s right, scoring to send the match to extra time after a 3-3 draw.

Through the extra time halves, FA Euro had the bulk of the ball and in the 106th minute that pressure finally told. Cameron McGregor was able to get space at the top of the box and then play the shot just under the keeper for a goal that would end up being the winner.

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