ICST Pegasus is riding Vancouver Metro Soccer League’s (VMSL) domination of Provincial Cup play, joining two of their Premier Division rivals in the semifinals.
Pegasus netted a goal in each half to defeat the Punjab Hurricanes 2-0 last Friday night at Newton Athletic Park in a battle of the last two Surrey teams in the 20-team knockout tournament.
“The first half was very close, and we had a less than commanding 1-0 lead,” said Pegasus head coach Rob Reed. “They defended and played very well.
“But we got better as the game went on.”
Azid Palani got the game’s first goal after 30 minutes, heading in a cross from Omari Aldrige. Sahil Sandhu’s cross to Jag Gill resulted in a second goal off a header with 10 minutes to play.
Amar Dhinsa earned the shutout in the Pegasus goal.
For the Hurricanes, the loss ends a season in which they struggled in league play – finishing 12th in the 14-team Premier Division with a 7-6-13 (won-tied-lost) record – but had two strong runs in cup competition, reaching the semifinals of the VMSL Imperial Cup and the quarterfinal of the Provincial Cup B.C. championship tournament.
“They have one of the most talented teams in terms of skill and speed,” said Reed. “There’s just some problems with depth. They’re a difficult opponent.”
Pegasus will concentrate on another VMSL rival this weekend, as they host Delta United in a semifinal contest Friday night at 8 p.m. at Newton Athletic Park.
Delta edged the Coquitlam Metro-Ford Wolves 1-0 in their quarterfinal contest last weekend.
“It will be a very difficult game,” said Reed. “They’re a hard-working veteran group of guys, with some young players in the mix.”
- Surrey United won their Provincial Cup quarterfinal game 6-0 over Coquitlam Metro-Ford Xtreme Sunday at Cloverdale Athletic Park.
United will host Prospect Lake of Victoria in a semifinal contest next weekend.