Finally! Valour FC hits the win column

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This article was published 20/05/2024 (850 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Valour FC has finally hit the win column.

While the country celebrated a holiday Monday, Winnipeg’s pro soccer squad put in a quality afternoon’s work in Halifax, registering a 2-1 triumph over the Wanderers.

Valour had suffered five consecutive defeats to begin the Canadian Premier League campaign, all coming on the road.

“It’s a good performance from us, ” Valour defender Themi Antonoglou said, in a post-game interview with OneSoccer. “We had a great week of training leading ahead to this game, and the boys delivered.

“We’re super excited.”

After a scoreless first half, the visitors took the lead early in the second on an outstanding finish from Diogo Ressureição. The Portuguese midfielder took a pass from Abdul Binate and booted a drive off the right post and into the back of the net.

Ressureição’s froze Wanderers goalkeeper Yann Fillion, who didn’t attempt to save the ball as it went past him to open the scoring.

Dan Nimick scored on a penalty kick in the 67th minute for the Wanderers to even the match at 1-1.

But Valour regained the lead in the 75th minute on tremendous goal from Jordan Swibel, who ripped it into the top left corner beyond keeper Yann Fillion.

The Winnipeg team has let games slip away in the later stages of matches this season, however, on this day it would not be denied.

“Honestly, (coach Phil Dos Santos) just said, ‘Take 10 minute at a time, win the game 10 minutes at a time, and win your 1 vs. 1 duels, and that’s what we did,” said Antonoglou.

The squad still has one match left away from the friendly confines of Princess Auto Stadium, heading west Sunday, May 26 to Spruce Meadows, Alta., to face Cavalry FC.

Cavalry has a win and a loss to go with four draws.

Valour finally makes its 2024 home debut Sunday, June 2 when Vancouver FC pays a visit.

— Free Press Staff