The Halifax Wanderers opened the 2022 Canadian Premier League season with a 1-0 victory over York United FC on Thursday night. With the club’s first win of the season are several storylines that took place for the club over that 90-minutes.
Miss the match? Watch the Highlights
Wanderers man of the match: João Morelli
In the words of Wanderers captain Andre Rampersad: He’s back! 2021 Most Outstanding Player and Golden Boot winner João Morelli scored the eventual match-winner with a penalty kick in the 53rd minute. Morelli sent York goalkeeper Niko Giantsopoulos the wrong way on the spot-kick to score his first of the season and 18th in just 27 CPL regular-season matches.
“It’s always a hard game against York,” Morelli told Kristian Jack in his post-match interview on OneSoccer. “I practise (penalties) a lot and I’m very confident, so that’s just part of my game.”
The Brazilian forward nearly opened the scoring in the first minute when a cross attempt bounced off the crossbar. Morelli went where he needed to be throughout the match, coming to find the ball and connect the attack as well as being his usual goal threat. He finished the match with five shot attempts, three on target.
💎( •_•)>⌐■-■
(⌐ ■_■)#TogetherFromAways #COYWhttps://t.co/jTBwupFKka
— HFX Wanderers FC (@HFXWanderersFC) April 8, 2022
A night of debuts for new Wanderers
Three members of Thursday’s starting eleven made their debut for the club, midfielder Aidan Daniels and defenders Obeng Tabi and Zach Fernandez. Forward Ryan Robinson came on in the second half, a day after signing with the club.
Daniels was instrumental in the Wanderers owning the ball in the first half, completing 87% of his passes in the match and linking up well with Andre Rampersad and Jeremy Gagnon-Laparé in the midfield. He also had some scoring chances, registering two shots on target.
Fernandez combined with Cory Bent on the Wanderers’ right flank, bringing the ball into the final third several times and contributing three crosses in the match.
Tabi’s night was highlighted by a last-ditch clearance on a York cross in the dying minutes of the first half, preventing a clear scoring chance. He won back possession more times than any other Wanderers defender.
Robinson nearly scored less than ten minutes after entering the match. A well-weighted cross from Samuel Salter found Robinson at the back post, but his re-direction struck the woodwork.
The captain leading by example
Playing in a holding midfield role, Andre Rampersad was virtually perfect.
Rampersad and Jeremy Gagnon-Laparé led the match in touches with 81 apiece and matched Daniels with 87% pass completion.
The captain also led the match in duels won (12/15), successful dribbles (5) and matched teammate Tabi to lead the Wanderers in winning back possession.
Right alongside Rampersad was Gagnon-Laparé, who was critical on both sides of the ball. His ability to connect defence to attack was highlighted by a match-high 21 final third passes and three crosses.
What they had to say
“I thought we did well, especially in the first half. We knew when to push the attack on the transition and we also knew when to keep the ball and move them around.” – Head coach Stephen Hart on the team’s performance.
#CanMNT qualify for FIFA World Cup ✅@HFXWanderersFC open season with a W ✅
MVP keeps on scoring (from penalties) ✅Been a great few weeks for everyone’s favourite coach, Stephen Hart! 💙#CanPL | #TogetherFromAways pic.twitter.com/G1QLhyQetz
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) April 8, 2022
“We did our job. We didn’t concede. It’s a hard game. It doesn’t need to be beautiful all the time.” – João Morelli in his post-match interview on OneSoccer.”
What’s next?
The Wanderers return to Halifax and prepare for their second match of the season. They visit Atlético Ottawa on Saturday, April 16.
Further reading
Look back on last night’s victory through photos and video in Sights & Sounds: York United 0-1 HFX Wanderers FC
Read CanPL.ca’s breakdown of the match in Match Analysis: York United 0-1 HFX Wanderers FC — CPL Match #1