HIGHLIGHTS: HFX Wanderers vs. Vancouver FC (April 29, 2023)

The HFX Wanderers and Vancouver FC combined for a 1-1 draw at Wanderers Ground on Saturday, kicking off week 3 of CPL action with a hard-fought battle in the tonybet Match of the Week.

In front of a sold-out crowd in Halifax, the Wanderers would give their fans plenty to cheer about early with a strong start, but Vancouver FC then did well to reply before half time. From there, both sides just couldn’t find a way to split the difference, leaving them to share the spoils in the end.

Right from the beginning of the match, the Wanderers did well to apply pressure on their guests. As a result, they’d force a great block from Vancouver’s Eugene Martínez in the 7th minute, before coming close on another set piece just minutes later.

Through that, they managed to find an opener in the 11th minute. After a perfectly weighted ball over the top from Riley Ferrazzo, that left Théo Collomb all alone with Vancouver’s Callum Irving, and he’d make no mistake with his powerful finish on the half-volley to send his home crowd into a rapture of noise.

Which, to their credit, they’d do well to nearly find not long after, as Gabriel Bitar had a great free-kick attempt just blocked by the wall in the 26th minute, before he headed a great cross just wide from inside the box in the 29th minute. Then, he’d have another good look at goal in the 33rd minute, but he’d snatch at his shot from just outside of the box, sending his attempt narrowly wide.

Finishing off his strong half, Bitar had another good look at goal in the 45th minute, as he did well to drive into space and unleash a strong shot, forcing a strong save from Yann Fillion. Then, off the ensuing corner, Vancouver had an even better chance, as Bitar then found Martínez with an inch-perfect ball over the top, but the centre back somehow sent his shot over from close range despite being unmarked.

Using that momentum, however, Vancouver would finally get their goal right before half, as Gael Sandoval managed to pick out Shaan Hundal with an inch-perfect cross into the box, one that Hundal would make no mistake in slotting home with his left foot.

Then, Vancouver nearly went ahead in the 66th minute, as they did well to force a Halifax turnover, but they’d fail to capitalize on the chance, as Hundal sent a cheeky attempt just over the goal from in close.

At the other end, the Wanderers nearly went in front after doing well to force a turnover of their own, allowing Aidan Daniels to unleash a strike in the 70th minute, with his powerful attempt only finding itself saved by Irving.

Continuing a busier end to the half, Vancouver had a glorious chance in the 77th minute, as Bitar did well to capitalize on a Wanderer’s mistake before teeing up Hundal, but he’d be unable to turn his shot on target from close range.

Sensing an opportunity to grab a late winner, Halifax mustered up a strong late push, which included a great chance off of a corner in the 99th minute, but Irving would save Vancouver with a big stop, keeping them from heartbreak.

From there, the final whistle would blow soon after, leaving both sides to share the points in the end.

BOX SCORE

Goals

11′ — Théo Collomb (HFX Wanderers)

45+2′ — Shaan Hundal (Vancouver FC)

Discipline

39′ — Yellow: Eugene Martínez (Vancouver FC)

40′ — Yellow: Riley Ferrazzo (HFX Wanderers) 

52′ — Yellow: Nima Moazeni Zadeh (Vancouver FC)

56′ — Yellow: Lorenzo Callegari (HFX Wanderers) 

88′ — Yellow: Zachary Fernandez (HFX Wanderers)