The goal for HFX Wanderers FC was to get into the top four after the first round. Mission accomplished. A win or draw guaranteed a spot in the group stage, but the Wanderers went a step further, winning 2-0 against Atlético Ottawa to clinch second place with 12 points from three wins, three draws and one loss.

“We always felt we could get into the top four. I’m a little surprised at how quick things came together in some instances because we didn’t have a lot of time together,” coach Stephen Hart said.

The Wanderers finish the first stage with 12 goals, second only behind Cavalry FC. They’ve found balance across the pitch, tied for first with Cavalry and York9 with the fewest goals against with seven.

No nerves, no problem

Even though the Wanderers won 2-0 against Valour on Wednesday, Hart said the team came out lethargic and with a lack of concentration, something he attributed to nerves. It appears that was a valuable lesson for the team as they looked more comfortable, helped by an Akeem Garcia goal in the 15th minute.

“I think you saw the way the game played out, we came out the better team in my opinion,” said goalkeeper and man of the match Christian Oxner.

“That was the best we started so far this tournament and I think that’s going to be a very encouraging sign for us. We’re a young team but if you look around the locker room, we have a lot of guys with experience so I think dealing with the Valour game really helped us with the nerves and everything for sure.”

The Ox also looked cool as a cucumber in net, turning aside five shots on his way to a second consecutive clean sheet. Since the 24-year-old ‘keeper has returned from injury, the Wanderers have three wins and one draw.

Another one for Akeem

With his opening goal, Akeem Garcia now leads the Island games with four goals. The Trinidad and Tobago striker has continued where he left off this last season, proving to be a dangerous force every time he’s in the lineup. The goal came after a defence-splitting pass from Alex Marshall, who created a team-leading three chances against Ottawa.

“It’s always good to score and Akeem has been knocking on the door this entire tournament. He scored some crucial goals for us,” said Hart of the first goal.

“His movement is, for me, one of the best in the league and he took the chance. But somebody has to create that chance for him. Again, it’s nice to see everybody in sync.”

A chippy punisher

For the second straight game, the Wanderers pounced on a mistake from an opponent and made it count with a goal on the ensuing play. This time around it was Alessandro Riggi who jumped on a mistimed back pass from Ottawa and chipped the ball over Nacho Zabal for his first goal as a Wanderer. More importantly, it provided a 2-0 cushion at the two-hour mark.

“It’s something we worked on diligently, about how we press and the coordination of the press. And everybody knows if one or two people don’t chip in with the right angles and the right speed of the press, then it’s a waste of time. But they’re doing it,” said the coach.

Hart added Riggi benefited from the press that disrupted the opponents on Sunday and Bent was the benefactor against Valour.

“But as the tournament goes on, it gets harder and harder to play at that high tempo. So hopefully we’ll be rested enough for Wednesday,” said Hart.

The Wanderers begin the Group Stage on Wednesday at 2pm against Forge. When the two teams met earlier in the tournament, it finished in a 1-1 draw.