Halifax Wanderers through to CPL Final following Cavalry FC loss
CBC News | Posted: September 15, 2020 7:47 PM | Last Updated: September 16, 2020
Needing a win to advance, Calgary-based Cavalry lose 1-0 to Hamilton-based Forge FC
The Halifax Wanderers (1-0-1 in the group stage and 4-1-4 overall) have made it to Saturday's Canadian Premier League final in Charlottetown, thanks to a loss suffered Tuesday by the Calgary-based Cavalry FC (1-2-0 in the group
stage and 5-4-1 overall).
stage and 5-4-1 overall).
Cavalry FC lost 1-0 to Forge FC (2-0-1 in the group stage and 5-1-4 overall), based in Hamilton, Ont.
Forge's one goal came from Molham Babouli at the 27-minute mark.
The result means the Wanderers will play Forge in the Canadian Premier League Final on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 3 p.m. AT.
WATCH | HFX Wanderers advance to CPL Final after Cavalry lose to Forge:
The Wanderers were blanked 5-0 by the already-eliminated Pacific FC (1-2-0 in the group stage and 4-4-2 overall) in the evening match.
It's been amazing turnaround for Stephen Hart's Wanderers, who were bottom of the 2019 overall standings at 6-12-10.
Cavalry would have clinched a berth in the 2020 CPL Finals with a win, according to the league's site. Even a draw would have meant elimination.
WATCH | Pacific FC dominate finals-bound HFX Wanderers:
The Island Games champion collects the North Star Shield, advances to the 2020 Canadian Championship final and earns a berth in the 2021 CONCACAF League.
Home field advantage?
Earlier Tuesday, Halifax players Ibra Sanoh and Chrisnovic N'sa told CBC News that playing on Prince Edward Island has been like having a home advantage.
They said Islanders seem to have adopted Halifax as their team because of the Maritime connection.
The Canadian Premier League season was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but resumed in Charlottetown this summer with players and staff from all eight teams isolating at the Delta Hotel.