MENU
Last Time Out: Bitar’s late game heroics steal a point for VFC
August 15, 2024

VFC welcome the defending North Star Shield winners, Forge FC, this weekend as the sides will meet at the Langley Events Centre for the first time in 2o24. The Eagles are coming off of a fifth Salish Sea Derby win over rivals Pacific FC, whilst Forge x Halifax Wanderers in Hamilton on Wednesday.

Vancouver FC faced mixed results against the team from the Hammer at Willoughby Community Park in 2o23. July last year saw The Eagles notch their first ever home win in club history, besting Bobby Smyrniotis side 2-0 courtesy of goals from TJ Tahid and Ameer Kinani. September saw VFC suffer a 3-0 defeat, with a strong performance from Forge striker Woobens Pacius helping secure his side three points.

Sunday will be an opportunity for VFC to build on the momentum of their last two fixtures in 2024 against Forge FC, with the Eagles having secured points on the road in their past two visits to the Hammer.

The two sides last met on July 5th in a back-and-fourth match that saw both teams battle to the end in one of the most entertaining matches of the 2024 Canadian Premier League Season.

The match would see Vancouver take the lead inside the first 15 minutes. Renan Garcia won an important duel at the edge of the VFC box against Béni Badibanga before combining with Vasco Fry. The Peruvian would dribble to halfway before cutting inside and playing a progressive 20-yard pass to Gabriel Bitar in midfield. VFC’s Honeyman would dribble unopposed before releasing a venomous strike 25-yards from goal. The powerful shot flew past the Forge keeper Jassem Koleilat and continued to rise before it nestled in the top corner. Arguably Bitar’s finest goal as an Eagle, the long range strike would be added to an impressive goal catalogue, and earn a goal of the month nomination for the 25-year old Lebanese international.

Callum Irving had a strong start to the match making several good stops in the first half, including tipping a dangerous free-kick over the bar as Béni Badibanga looked to test the VFC captain from jut outside the box in the 27th minute.

However, Forge would find a way back into the match in the 36th minute, capitalizing on a lapse in concentration from the VFC backline. Again is was Forge’s Badibanga picking the ball up on the wing, the Forge attacker played a dangerous cross to the back-post which was met by Malik Owolabi-Belewu, who’s free header trickled over the line.

The Eagles showed a good reaction moments later with Elage Bah combining with Paris Gee down the left wing before Gee served an inviting cross into the centre of the box. On hand was VFC leading goalscorer Wero Diaz, the Mexican struck the ball on the volley placing it in the bottom left corner and giving VFC the lead for the second time 40 minutes into the match.

Vancouver FC would be faced with some unexpected adversity in the early moments of the second half as the referee would brandish a red card for VFC midfielder Vasco Fry, after a coming together with Tristan Borges.

VFC initially reacted well to the man disadvantage, holding steadfast in the match. Callum Irving made another fantastic save on the goal line in the 63rd minute. Unfortunately it was a well worked Forge set piece from a corner kick in the 66th minute that saw Daniel Parra score and tie the match 2-2. The Mexican’s free shot deflected off of VFC defender Rocco Romeo inside the six-yard box before finding the back of the net.

Forge would find another goal to take the lead in the 85th minute through David Choinière. VFC failed to clear Kyle Bekker’s corner-kick at before Choinière pounced on the lose ball, blasting his shot into the roof of the net.

It was Vancouver that would strike last however, as a determined Afshin Ghotbi side refused to leave Hamilton empty handed. An effective press initiated off of a short Forge goal kick saw David Norman apply pressure on Forge’s Achinioti-Jönsson, who coughed up the ball at the top of the Forge box where Bitar was lurking. Bitar would strike the ball first time and find the bottom corner, scoring the equalizer in the 91st minute.

The match would end level at 3-3 in the 95th minute thanks to Callum Irving’s heroic performance in goal and Gabriel Bitar’s offensive contribution playing the number ten. Bitar’s performance would go on to earn him Canadian Premier League Player of the Week, the 3rd VFC player to win the award in 2024.

 

VFC will take on Forge FC this Sunday at 4pm as we celebrate our Women and Girl’s in Sport Match at the Langley Events Centre, fans interested in attending the game can purchase tickets here.