FC Edmonton remain undefeated at home with a 0-0 draw against reigning Canadian Premier League Champions Pacific FC on Wednesday.
Also of note, this was Amer Didic’s first game back in Edmonton since leaving to join Pacific FC.
“We just went toe to toe with the champions who are undefeated and could have won the game,” said FC Edmonton coach Alan Koch after the match. “I think for who we are and where we’ve come from. That’s a massive achievement for us.”
Clubs exchange chances
Both teams traded opportunities in the first half. FC Edmonton counterattacked in the 14th minute, with Tobias Warschewski springing Mamadi Camara for a shot Pacific keeper Callum Irving stopped.
Marco Bustos scuffed a ball wide in the 16th minute after Manny Aparicio put a cross into the 6-yard box. And then Kamron Habibullah had a great opportunity in the 23rd minute that Cale Loughrey did well to prevent.
The Eddies put some pressure on Pacific FC late in the half leading to a Tobias Warschewski free kick that was saved in the 38th minute.
Pacific FC carved out some late opportunities from a cross by Manuel Aparicio and Sean Young shot on target in the 40th minute. Followed by consecutive point-blank opportunities by Bustos in the 43rd and 44th minute that Vaikla had to be sharp on.
Goalless stalemate
FC Edmonton began the second half well. Azriel Gonzalez put a free kick just over the bar in the 46th minute. That was followed in 48th minute by a great chance for Wesley Timoteo created off a poor header by Jordan Haynes. Sean Young got another opportunity from a Alejandro Diaz cross in the 54th minute that was blocked and booted away by Marcus Simmons. Gabriel Bitar would get a chance in the 67th minute that was parried over the net. FC Edmonton started to consistently pressure Pacific FC late in the second half.
But Pacific FC were keen to keep up their 100 per cent record. Bustos would get a great cross that didn’t connect in the 83rd minute. A Pacific FC free kick taken in the 85th minute led to a chance by former FC Edmonton player Amer Didic, but it was stopped.
With the draw Pacific FC continues to lead the CPL at the top of the table. While FC Edmonton emerge with three points on the season and continue to be undefeated at home. FC Edmonton will be looking to get all three points when they face HFX Wanderers in Halifax on April 30th and potentially put themselves in the hunt for a top four position in the table.
