The real soccer season begins Saturday (April 16) as Nanaimo United’s premier women’s team begins Provincial Cup action.
United hosts Coquitlam Metro Ford at 10 a.m. at Beban Park’s Merle Logan Field, and coach Anup Kang likes his team’s chances.
“We’re excited about provincials. We’ve been playing some of our best soccer lately.”
Nanaimo took on Gorge United in exhibition play Saturday and despite losing 3-2 on a late goal, Kang saw plenty of positives from the match.
“Gorge is one of the top teams in B.C., which means one of the top teams in the country and it was an even game,” he said. “They have only allowed three goals in 18 games so for us to pop in two against them is an encouraging sign.”
Kang expects an equally exciting game against Coquitlam on the weekend.
“I had the opportunity to see them in provincial play last year and they are a high-calibre team.
They have some former [Simon Fraser University] players and another from the national team so it should be a real good game,” he said. “If we can come out with some intensity and play our game, we’ll be fine.”
The road to a championship will not get any easier for United, as a win Saturday would put them up against seven-time defending champion Surrey United April 23.
“We’re absolutely not thinking about Surrey at this point, but if we get the opportunity, we’ll give them a good game,” said Kang.
Nanaimo United’s Division 1 women’s team begins its quest for the Provincial B Cup Saturday as well, hosting Surdel at noon at Merle Logan Field.