Italia Shooters 2 Attak 2
2007-06-10
 Elkana MayardThe Attak drew 2-2 against the Italia Shooters following two late second half goals from Jean-Louis Bessé and Elkana Mayard, Sunday night at the Soccer Center in Toronto.
Camilo Benzi, the Shooters goalkeeper, thought he was on his way of recording his sixth straight shut-out, when his team was comfortably in front 2-0 with six minutes to play… But the Attak had two late strikes, to finally get the tie against the league's top team thus far this season.
The Italian defence was beaten after 533 minutes of play this season when Jean-Louis Bessé scored from a rebound, following a shot taken by Elkana Mayard at the 84th minute. Five minutes later, Mayard, again, took another shot, but Benzi was beaten this time.
"I am very happy that I scored late in the game to make the final score 2-2", said Elkana Mayard. "We deserved the three points, but considering the circumstances, we will take the point. We know what to do, during the trainings this week, to get a positive result in front of our fans next Sunday against the Serbian White Eagles."
Although they dominated the first half, Marc Dos Santos' men went behind when they were surprised by a counterattack by Gladstone Richards at the 26th minute.
The two best Attak opportunities during the first 45 minutes came from the foot of Darko Kolic, but the former Impact striker will have to wait before scoring his fourth goal. At the other end of the field, Gerry Argento made a crucial save late in the half, preventing the locals to increase their lead.
They will however get their second goal quickly after the break, when the Shooters' top scorer Jason De Thomasis tallied his fifth goal of the campaign at the 49th minute.
This late comeback away against the leader of the international division is a positive result, although the Attak falls behind Windsor at the top of the National division, following the Border Stars two wins against London City this week-end.
Because Danny Anderson did not play due to an injury and that Olivier Brett was not in the starting 11, Elkana Mayard is now the only player who has played every minute of every game thus far this season.
Mayard, who was involved in both Attak goals, played a very good game, but the Attak player of the game was Ibrahim Baldeh, who was very solid in midfield.
French defender Cédric Joqueviel, who got his international release last week, played his first game of the season.
The Attak will play its next game against the Serbian White Eagles, next Sunday at 4pm at UQTR stadium. This will be their third encounter, the White Eagles winning the previous two games 2-1 and 3-2.
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