Willy Akio hero again in Cavalry’s first-ever CPL triumph in Ottawa

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Another game …

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Another goal …

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Another back-flip from Willy Akio.

Only these significant moments came in dramatic fashion for Cavalry FC, with Akio scoring his fifth goal in seven games in the waning seconds of the 2-1 victory Saturday over host Atlético Ottawa.

“I think the adrenaline’s still coursing through my veins,” Cavalry gaffer Tommy Wheeldon Jr. told reporters after the emotional thrilling triumph. “That was a hell of a match — both sides.”

Both had the chance to win late after Luke Singh’s lovely 88th-minute goal — a highlight-reel leaping side-kick on the volley — levelled the contest at one goal apiece at TD Place Stadium.

“They’ve scored an incredible equalizer that you think has got them a point,” Wheeldon said. “And we knew that we had a moment when Maël Henry came in. We knew Willy Akio has been on form. We knew something could happen.

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“Tactically, there were some great changes on both sides. It was physical, at times, but let’s not undervalue the ability and quality of both teams, as well. It literally brought everything.”

It certainly brought the visitors three points to drive them further away from the pack in the Canadian Premier League.

The win for the top-spot Cavs (11W-6L-5D) gives them 39 points — four up on second-place Pacific FC (10-5-7).

The decision, meanwhile, keeps Atlético Ottawa (9-5-8) well back on 32 points, tied for third spot with HFX Wanderers FC (8-8-5) and Forge FC (8-8-6).

“They surprised us,” admitted Ottleti head coach Carlos Gonzàlez of Cavalry. “The way they pressed, the way they were defending, it was an unexpected way. This creates a little bit of uncertainty in how we play, how to break them down, how to get into the correct areas.”

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Akio was in the right area for the winning goal that came seven minutes into injury time. He knocked home the winner from seven yards out after young midfielder Henry chased down Shamit Shome’s corner kick and delivered a ball low into a mess of players, where Daan Klomp deftly redirected it to his teammate with the scorching scoring touch.

One final clear of an Ottleti threat by Cavs defender Callum Montgomery in front of his ’keeper, Marco Carducci, ensured the victory.

That drew a moment from the Cavalry coach, as he turned to the TD Place crowd and apparently shushed the fans, certainly putting his hand to his ear as if to say, ‘I can’t hear you anymore’, to cap what was the team’s first-ever win in the Nation’s Capital.

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“We acknowledged it before that we’d not won here,” Wheeldon said. “Now, we’ve levelled the series. Last year, they came to our house and shushed our crowd and took over the points, and (Saturday), we’ve just returned the favour, so it’s a good three points.”

Veteran dynamo Sergio Camargo helped get the Cavs those points with his late goal in the first half. In the 45th minute, he took Jesse Daley’s cagey pass deep into the goal box and around Ingham to score from a near-impossible angle.

“They were a little bit more hungry at the beginning,” Gonzàlez said. “I saw that in every single individual action, and this cannot happen at this stage of the season. Collectively, as I said, I put my hand up because they surprised us. Their plan was a little bit different to what I was expecting.”

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The decision gives Cavalry four wins in their last five tilts and wraps up the season sries with Ottleti at two victories apiece after the Ottawa club hung two losses on the Calgary squad during its current 9-3 run to propel Wheeldon & Co. to the top of the table.

Whatever’s working for the Cavs, it’s working well.

“I can’t give you all our trade secrets, but a big one for us is unity, belief, competitiveness …” added Camargo. “We trust in our coaching staff and our scouting system to bring in the talent. It’s up to us to bring it all together and keep that effort and desire high every game.”

They’ll need it high to face nemesis Forge in their next game next Saturday at Hamilton’s Tim Hortons Field (5 p.m., OneSoccer, OneSoccer.ca).

tsaelhof@postmedia.com

http://www.twitter.com/ToddSaelhofPM

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