Vancouver FC extended their win streak over Pacific FC to five straight, as they defeated their provincial rivals 1-0 in the seventh edition of the Salish Sea Derby at Willoughby Community Park on Sunday, Aug. 11.
With that, VFC picked up their second win in the past 11 games, allowing them to stay in the fifth and final playoff spot in the CPL while Pacific extended their winless run to four games, putting them three points behind Vancouver.
After a quiet first half from both teams, Alejandro Díaz scored for Vancouver in the second half, as he got on the end of a cross from Paris Gee, slotting home from close range with a left-footed volley to make it 1-0.
Ultimately, that was all that Vancouver needed to win.
Vancouver’s head coach, Afshin Ghotbi, called it a " professional performance."
"I felt that we managed the game well, especially after the goal, and that was fantastic, so I’m very pleased with the result," Ghotbi said.
"It’s rarely in any derby in the world we have a team with five straight derby wins, which is very special.”
Diaz became the first Vancouver player to score 10 goals for the club.
“I think this year, it’s (helped to have a) preseason and more time to train all together,” Díaz commented. “Last year was a little bit tough, I had a good start but after that I had a slump, but this year to have the preseason, the training, it’s helped a lot.”
“He’s one of the most clinical strikers that I’ve met,” Ghotbi said of Díaz. “When he faces the goal and he’s in that danger area, if he gets the right service, 90% time he’s putting the ball on target. He’s so technical, too, we play a lot of headers and volley games (in training) and you see how technical his right foot, left foot and head are, he kisses the ball with his head like he’s kissing his baby, there’s just so much feeling (in his shooting).”
Vancouver's James Cameron was named player of the match after he finished with 22 out of 31 completed passes and two out of three successful dribbles offensively, while chipping in with four clearances, one block, two interceptions, four tackles and winning nine out of his 19 duels defensively.
Next Vancouver FC hosts Forge FC Sunday Aug 18 at Willoughby stadium in Langley at 4 p.m.
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