VANCOUVER, B.C - The Vancouver Whitecaps hosted Trinidad and Tobago club, Central F.C. on a cool and crisp evening at B.C. Place. The Caps had already locked up a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals next February. All that remained was sorting out seeding as Vancouver was hoping to secure a top four seeding for the quarterfinals. Carl Robinson's squad came out flying and cruised to a convincing 4-1 win over Central F.C., in front of a crowd of 14,327.
Cristian Techera had a brace and two assists, he was dangerous from start to finish. Vancouver finishes the group stage with a perfect 4-0-0 record and a likely top three seeding for a quarterfinals series against a later to be determined opponent.
Carl Robinson was delighted with his team's performance.
“It’s very important we got one of the top three seeds," said Robinson. "You can tell that by the lineup I put out there. You know I wanted to give some young players some minutes, and I did towards the end of the game when I thought the game was maybe a little bit beyond them to get back into it. Even the system I played today was a little bit more attacking then I usually do, based upon trying to get some goals. So credit to the players, they deserve a lot of credit for the four games they’ve played and managed to get through a tricky group for us. And for the club it’s an unbelievable achievement. We saw Montreal do it, obviously we liked watching them and there was a lot of positive stuff. But it’s the first time we’ve managed to do it in our history, so we’re delighted and we’ll be very, very well prepared for whoever we face in the next round.”
Goalkeeper Paolo Tornaghi was happy with the result and the way the team played in front of him.
“I think a very good game. I think it was tricky a little at the beginning because it was a game that could be a lot to lose playing here at home against a team that is coming just to show themselves. But I think we did really good especially at the beginning of the two halves, at the beginning of the game and the beginning of the second half.”
The Opening 45
It didn't take long for the Whitecaps to take control and open the scoring. A clever build up helped Blas Perez score an open net, tap in-goal 11' minutes into the match. Cristian Techera found the Panamanian striker and he made no mistake.
Vancouver wasn't finished and they doubled their lead in the 21' minute. Perez was fouled in the Central F.C. box. After some hesitation, referee Luis Enrique Santander pointed to the spot. Defender, Keion Goodridge was issued a yellow card, and Cristian Techera stepped up to take the penalty. 'The Bug' converted a cheeky chip, and Vancouver lead 2-0.
The Whitecaps were buzzing all over the pink kitted Central F.C. back-line with several further scoring opportunities. The visitors struggled in transition, but that didn't matter as they were able to cut the Whitecaps lead in half just before the halftime whistle.
Central F.C. was awarded a free kick just outside the Vancouver box. Midfielder Sean De Silvia stepped up a delivered a rocket shot, top corner. Goalkeeper Paolo Tornaghi was let down by his wall, and no chance to stop the free kick. Despite dominating the half with a 68% - 32 % possession advantage, Vancouver slipped up and Central F.C. was able to capitalize with a late goal.
The Second Half
After giving up a goal in the 44' minute, Vancouver was back on the pitch and ready to regain a two-goal advantage. The Caps were pressing, and they quickly found the back of the net in the 49' minute to the delight of the crowd.
Cristian Techera chased down a ball that could have been called offside, if Masato Kudo had claimed it first. Techera broke in down the flank and centred the ball for a streaking Kudo. The Japanese striker calmly converted on target to put Vancouver up 3-1. The Central F.C. defense was caught ball watching and the combination of Kudo and Techera was too much to contain.
It was not the best of nights for Central F.C., Vancouver was just too strong of an opponent offensively. Cristian Techera added a brace in the 70' minute after some terrific build up play from Marcel De Jong and Marco Bustos. Vancouver had finally broken out with an onslaught of goals and Central F.C. had no offense and their defense was terrified.
The Whitecaps got the job done. They came into the match looking for a win and the chance to add to their goal differential. Heading into the quarterfinals they will be seeded in the top four and thus ensuing that the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals is a match played at B.C. Place. Vancouver took full advantage and didn't look back.
Man of the Match
Cristian Techera
'The Bug', Cristian Techera was at his pesky, speedy, and creative best with a brace and a pair of assists. Techera took it upon himself to help stir the Whitecaps offense and he was on point for all 90' minutes. The Caps offense ran through the tiny Uruguayan and he was too much to handle for Central F.C. - He linked up well with Blas Perez, Masato Kudo, Marcel De Jong and was a disturbance for the visitors. Techera will look to continue his fine CONCACAF Champions League form in February when the challenge gets bigger and the stakes are higher. Tonight he was terrific and he carried the Whitecaps.
“He played on the right side of midfield," said Robinson. "I thought he was excellent in his quality of the ball. We know he’s a little architect when he has the ball, drops his shoulder and I thought if we moved the ball very quickly we’d be able to cause them problems with our fullbacks pushing high. He got into some great positions and obviously he managed to score two good goals, one with a penalty. But his overall play, his work rate, was spot on as well and I think he’s getting fully fit now, because he did have a slight groin issue. So it’s pleasing for him obviously, and you see what it means to the guys as well. When Cristian scores they’re all around him, so he should be proud.”
Vancouver Whitecaps Starting XI: Paulo Tornaghi; Fraser Aird, Kendall Waston(C), Tim Parker, Brett Levis, 64 (Ben McKendry); Cristian Techera, Andrew Jacobson, Nicolas Mezquida, 64 (Marco Bustos) Marcel de Jong; Masato Kudo, 72 (Kyle Greig), Blas Pérez. 4-4-2.
Central FC Starting XI: Jan-Michael Williams; Kaydion Gabriel, 85 (Kadeem Corbin), Keston George, Keion Goodridge, Kevon Villaroel, 51 (Keron Cummings); Leston Paul, Darren Mitchell(C); Sean De Silva, Nathanial Garcia, 69 (Nicholas Dillon, Jason Marcano; Kenwyne Jones. 4-2-3-1
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