Gorge FC isn’t having the best of seasons, but it’s not a team to be taken lightly and Nanaimo United knows that.
United (8-4-1) hosts Gorge (2-10-1) on Saturday (Dec. 8) in Vancouver Island Soccer League Div. 1 men’s action.
Just as United has added some Vancouver Island University players recently, Gorge has added some University of Victoria players.
“So they’re going to be a lot stronger team than what their standings are showing,” said Tony Maestrello, United midfielder. “It should be a really good, tough battle.”
He said his team will need to try to play its own game, keeping the ball on the turf and moving the ball quickly to the outside of the pitch and then back inside.
Coach John Valentim said United’s ball movement has been excellent, and said it makes for good soccer for the fans to watch.
“They like to see a soccer game where the ball can circulate properly –good passing, good defending, good attacking. That’s exactly what Nanaimo is doing this year,” Valentim said. “It’s always playing with the head, then the feet goes after. And the movement, it’s very nice to watch.”
GAME ON … Nanaimo United and Gorge FC play Saturday at 7 p.m. at Merle Logan Field. Admission is always free at the turf field … It’s the last action of 2012 for United, who won’t have another league match until Jan. 19 … Nanaimo United’s four-game unbeaten string came to an end last weekend. The city’s Div. 1 men’s Vancouver Island Soccer League team lost 3-2 to the Saanich Fusion in Victoria on Friday. Scott Newlands and Tony Maestrello scored for United. The result allowed Saanich (8-1-1) to hang on to third place ahead of Nanaimo.
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