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(Sheldon Mack/Pacific FC)
Match Report – Pacific FC v Vancouver FC: Derby defeat provides Tridents with new motivation to finish season strong
August 21, 2023
by
Jack Longo

Story of the Match

The most recent Salish Sea Derby between Pacific FC and Vancouver FC didn’t go in the Tridents favour as the Mainlanders came away with a 3-2 victory on home soil. Frankly, the result feels more like a smash-and-grab job than it does the Tridents being outplayed away from home, but sometimes that’s what football does to you.

After going behind in the first half, Pacific did well to score two goals and re-take the lead before Vancouver came back to steal three points in Langley. The derby atmosphere means this result hurts more than usual, but it can’t always go your way and sometimes you lose a match you felt you should’ve won or drawn.

Outside of the action on the pitch, the “Tridents on Tour” support was incredible as a purple and teal wave took over Willoughby Community Park. After a bus-load of PFC supporters set up shop in the away supporters end, the noise from that section was the loudest in the ground all match long.

Looking forward, there is one more Salish Sea Derby before the season comes to a close, which everyone around the club will now absolutely have circled on the calendar. A real derby ultimately needs both teams to be competitive in it for it to matter and Vancouver now has their “famous” victory. However, with one more derby before the season finishes, three points in that one for Pacific would give the team a 3-1 season series win and provide some sweet revenge on home turf.

Looking Ahead

The next match on the calendar looks like a must-win now. Next weekend’s match away to Cavalry FC has major title implications at this stage of the season as a win would put Pacific top of the table again regardless of the other results around the league, but a loss could drop the Tridents down to third – or theoretically, into a four way tie for second if other results allow it. The focus, however, is on getting all three points and making a statement to the rest of the league by going right back to the top.

This battle between first and second in the CPL is also the first of five remaining road matches for Pacific. Although still one of the best road teams in the league, a bounce back is needed to show the team can get back on form and avoid dropping back to back games away from the Island.

PFC Standout Player: David Brazão

Brazao came off the bench for his seventh appearance of the season and made his third goal contribution in PFC colours. The attacker’s assist for Djenairo Daniels’ goal gave Pacific the lead in the match at the time and was a brilliant example of the kind of ability Brazao has going forward.

After receiving the ball in behind the Vancouver backline, Brazao spotted Daniels making a run to the back-post and laid the ball on a plate for the Dutchman to finish. You couldn’t have placed the ball in a better spot or weighted it any more perfectly.

The 21-year-old has been reliably creative when called upon this season – his first on the Island – and should be able to see some more minutes as the Tridents look to figure out solutions and work out of their current funk.

Scoring Summary

11’ – Vancouver FC – Mikaël Cantave

65’ – Pacific FC – Thomas Meilleur-Giguère

73’ – Pacific FC – Djenairo Daniels

76’ – Vancouver FC – Gabriel Bitar

87’ – Vancouver FC – Gabriel Bitar

Statistics

Possession: PFC 61 % – VFC 39 %

Expected Goals: PFC 2.10 – VFC 1.00

Shots: PFC 16 – VFC 10

Shots on Target: PFC 7 – VFC 5

Saves: PFC 2 – VFC 5

Fouls: PFC 7 – VFC 13

Offsides: PFC 3 – VFC 1

Corners: PFC 10 – VFC 2

Cautions

33’ – Georges Mukumbilwa – Yellow

41’ – Amer Didic – Yellow

44’ – Elliot Simmons – Yellow

52’ – Vasco Fry – Yellow