Canucks4Ever
Well-Known Member
Completely Baseless Predictions - Men's A Cup Semi Finals
Quarter Finals: 3/3
Overall: 10/11
BB5 United CCB (VMSL) v Coquitlam Metro Ford Wolves (VMSL)
There would appear to be little to no stopping the machine that is BB5 as they look to make it three straight Provincial Cup titles. After cruising untouched in their opening match, it continued to be straightforward in their quarter final as they dusted Inter 5-0. Inter had been somewhat of a pesky nuisance for BB5 this season, but not so in this meeting. There was also a sighting of former Canadian international Marcel De Jong back on the field to close out the match. Several of BB5's star performers are also riding a high from their massive win with TSS Rovers in the Canadian Championship this week, although they will face fellow TSSer Kyle Jones in this match, as he wears the Tri-City colours. Metro Ford went back to the Island again and for the second round on the bounce it was a jovial ferry ride back to Mainland as they knocked off VISL champions Lakehill thanks to some late penalty drama. Their two VMSL meetings produced plenty of goals, although BB5's opening day win looked well in hand before a late push from Metro Ford brought it back to 4-3. Their second meeting, though, produced an electric 3-3 draw and was one of the the rare times these teams dropped point this season. For most of the year Coquitlam looked to be in charge of their own fate, but they faltered down the stretch and BB5 were clinical with their games in hand, ultimately defending their VMSL title from a year ago. Second place during the season was a bitter pill to swallow for Coquitlam, but they would gladly accept at Provincial Cup semi-final success as consolation. Talisman Carlo Basso continues to be a miss for the Tri-City side, however, and in this star studded arms race that type of lethal finishing being out of the Metro Ford lineup could well be the difference.
Croatia SC (VMSL) v Abbotsford United (FVSL)
Well, well - what to say about this one. Starting with Abbotsford is likely easier given they took care of fellow FVSLers Micro Footie with minimal stress in their quarters final. The front line of Connor Hildebrant, Victory Shumbusho and Parman Minhas was easily too much for Micro Footie as Abby cruised to a 3-1 win. For Croatia, they looked to have FVSL champions FC Tigers at their mercy after a first half red card and a penalty. Squandered chances was the story of their day, however, as they failed to press their advantage, losing 2-0. Then the plot twist. A much talked about protest to BC Soccer for ineligible players used by Tiger was ultimately accepted and Tigers were unceremoniously were sent packing via an administrative waive of a pen. Some irony to a "pen" saving Croatia after they missed not one, but two penalties in their match against Tigers. Much has been made of the late season influx of talent that landed at Tigers and while almost all of the new additions had the proper documentation, it only took one to bring down the whole house of cards. So now Croatia are left to get back on the horse. What kind of preparation did they have this week? How intense was training given their was no guarantee of success? It is nigh on impossible to gauge where that group must be mentally heading into this game. One this for sure is they will need much more clinical finishing from the likes of Admit Salihovic and Emile Samovicci if they are going to return to the final and play for a second Provincial Cup in club history. One further interesting story line is the fact that Abbotsford goalkeeper Ty Venhola formerly plied his trade for Croatia. There is no doubt on Abby's mindset, though, they will have been fired up all week getting ready to unleash that front three that may well also add Daniel Davidson, another former Croatia player, to its ranks.
Quarter Finals: 3/3
Overall: 10/11
BB5 United CCB (VMSL) v Coquitlam Metro Ford Wolves (VMSL)
There would appear to be little to no stopping the machine that is BB5 as they look to make it three straight Provincial Cup titles. After cruising untouched in their opening match, it continued to be straightforward in their quarter final as they dusted Inter 5-0. Inter had been somewhat of a pesky nuisance for BB5 this season, but not so in this meeting. There was also a sighting of former Canadian international Marcel De Jong back on the field to close out the match. Several of BB5's star performers are also riding a high from their massive win with TSS Rovers in the Canadian Championship this week, although they will face fellow TSSer Kyle Jones in this match, as he wears the Tri-City colours. Metro Ford went back to the Island again and for the second round on the bounce it was a jovial ferry ride back to Mainland as they knocked off VISL champions Lakehill thanks to some late penalty drama. Their two VMSL meetings produced plenty of goals, although BB5's opening day win looked well in hand before a late push from Metro Ford brought it back to 4-3. Their second meeting, though, produced an electric 3-3 draw and was one of the the rare times these teams dropped point this season. For most of the year Coquitlam looked to be in charge of their own fate, but they faltered down the stretch and BB5 were clinical with their games in hand, ultimately defending their VMSL title from a year ago. Second place during the season was a bitter pill to swallow for Coquitlam, but they would gladly accept at Provincial Cup semi-final success as consolation. Talisman Carlo Basso continues to be a miss for the Tri-City side, however, and in this star studded arms race that type of lethal finishing being out of the Metro Ford lineup could well be the difference.
Croatia SC (VMSL) v Abbotsford United (FVSL)
Well, well - what to say about this one. Starting with Abbotsford is likely easier given they took care of fellow FVSLers Micro Footie with minimal stress in their quarters final. The front line of Connor Hildebrant, Victory Shumbusho and Parman Minhas was easily too much for Micro Footie as Abby cruised to a 3-1 win. For Croatia, they looked to have FVSL champions FC Tigers at their mercy after a first half red card and a penalty. Squandered chances was the story of their day, however, as they failed to press their advantage, losing 2-0. Then the plot twist. A much talked about protest to BC Soccer for ineligible players used by Tiger was ultimately accepted and Tigers were unceremoniously were sent packing via an administrative waive of a pen. Some irony to a "pen" saving Croatia after they missed not one, but two penalties in their match against Tigers. Much has been made of the late season influx of talent that landed at Tigers and while almost all of the new additions had the proper documentation, it only took one to bring down the whole house of cards. So now Croatia are left to get back on the horse. What kind of preparation did they have this week? How intense was training given their was no guarantee of success? It is nigh on impossible to gauge where that group must be mentally heading into this game. One this for sure is they will need much more clinical finishing from the likes of Admit Salihovic and Emile Samovicci if they are going to return to the final and play for a second Provincial Cup in club history. One further interesting story line is the fact that Abbotsford goalkeeper Ty Venhola formerly plied his trade for Croatia. There is no doubt on Abby's mindset, though, they will have been fired up all week getting ready to unleash that front three that may well also add Daniel Davidson, another former Croatia player, to its ranks.
