STRETCH: Vaughan Italia Shooters midfielder Frankie Todaro, right, is tackled by Toronto Croatia player Hugo Hererra during the first half of the May 25 match. The Shooters lost both the game and ground in the standings to Croatia. (Jim Humphre/Vaughan Today)
The Italia Shooters surrendered the lead in the International Division and now find themselves one point behind Toronto Croatia after losing to the team May 25.
The Shooters managed to get within a goal, 3-2, but a penalty kick with 1:30 remaining in the first half made the difference.
Toronto Croatia’s Halburto Harris struck the opening goal at 35 minutes and striker Hugo Hererra made it 2-0 nine minutes later.
The Shooters pressed to get back into the game during the second half and forward Vince Forestieri’s header found the net for the home side at the 60th minute mark.
Three minutes later, the Shooters pulled within a goal when midfielder Joey Todaro put a high sweeping ball that went just under the bar.
While the Shooters have found their scoring touch — four goals in two games — they are finding themselves in penalty trouble.
Players were shown three yellow cards, and with two Italia starters sitting out because of red cards in the previous game, head coach Robert Pugliese is now calling for his team to control their emotions.
“It’s not what we have to do better, it’s what we have to deal with,” he said. “Last game we had two red cards, both starting defenders, and we had to dig into our youth system.”
Despite the penalty trouble, the Shooters were provided with some secondary scoring in the loss to Toronto Croatia.
Pugliese said he hopes the scoring touch will continue and give Forestieri the confidence he needs.
“It’s important, especially for a guy like Vince who scored the first goal,” Pugliese said. “We were hoping for him to be a leading scorer and we really don’t want him coming off the bench, but unfortunately for him he will have to get himself back into game shape.”
While the Shooters have scored four times in the past two games, the Toronto Croatia defence stymied the Shooters attack.
But fighting their way back from three first-half goals concerned Pugliese. He hopes when the starters return for their next game, June 5 against the winless Serbian White Eagles, the squad will return to form.
“On a game day-basis, sure it can concern me, but at the same time, I look at the lineup we put out there against Toronto Croatia,” he said. “We made some mistakes back there, but it comes down to immaturity.”
