Another dramatic and historic victory for Forge FC in the 2020 Concacaf League.
A 89th minute penalty drawn by Anthony Novak and converted by Daniel Krutzen sunk 13-time Panamanian champions Tauro FC 2-1 at the Estadio Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez in Panama City on Tuesday night.
Mo Babouli’s 11th-minute goal marked an opening stanza where Forge dominated their more experienced Central American opponents. Edwin Aguilar, Tauro’s danger-man striker, answered back in the 18th minute with a beautiful laced effort, bringing the game to a tense simmer.
The CPL Champions bested their round of 16 appearance in last year’s Concacaf League courtesy of Krutzen’s late penalty, which sealed the win and put Forge through to the quarter-finals.
Forge will return to action in December against either Jamaican side Waterhouse FC or Arcahaie FC of Haiti in the next round.
Here’s how Canadian soccer reacted to Forge’s win in Panama.
RELATED READING: Forge wins in Panama || Forge’s fitness carries them to victory || Forge makes a dent in Concacaf
Rivalries aside, well done to @ForgeFCHamilton tonight winning in Panama.
In a league that is only 41 games old, beating clubs with more history from established leagues within @Concacaf is a clear signal of intent & creates further credibility for @CPLsoccer ?
— Tommy Wheeldon Jr (@tommywheeldonjr) November 4, 2020
Prediction time
Yellow cards x 5
Red card x 1
PK's x 1@ForgeFCHamilton Kicking Ass!#SCL2020 #CanPL— James Kellough (@JamesKello) November 4, 2020
Thomas and Cisse definitely looking up for this one. So far Forge is looking the stronger side.
— Jeff Salisbury (@JeffDSalisbury) November 4, 2020
SO COME ON MO BABOULI
— Forge's Board (@ForgesBoard) November 4, 2020
GOAL @ForgeFCHamilton ??! Molham Babouli opens the score in Panama! #SCL20 pic.twitter.com/Sl5IX72ouD
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) November 4, 2020
Okay Forge, I see you
Great run from Choiniere, and a tidy finish from Babouli, who had the whole net at his mercy
Great start for the #CanPL champs here 10 mins in#CONCACAFLEAGUE
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) November 4, 2020
Early indicators looking absolutely tremendous in Babouli County. #SCL2020
— Oliver Platt (@plattoli) November 4, 2020
.@ForgeFCHamilton lead early in Panama City. ??
https://t.co/gkdMGWIPmJ
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) November 4, 2020
This guy ?#CanPL | @ForgeFCHamilton pic.twitter.com/1c7szsSlj7
— OneSoccer (@onesoccer) November 4, 2020
Forge really play some great stuff at times. Brilliant shot selection, cut backs, high press. Lots of stuff the analytics nerds love https://t.co/zFAmRkojlN
— Oliver Gage (@G4gey) November 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/Concacaf/status/1323799473714286595
Have to think this was part of Forge’s plan. Press early, keep the ball, hopefully score before the heat and conditioning start taking a toll. #CanPL
— Charlie O'Connor-Clarke (@charliejclarke) November 4, 2020
It's looking too tough to call. The narrowest swing to either side could see them get over the line. But it's been a strong start for Forge FC so far in Panama. 1-1 in 33rd minute. Who's watching?
— AFTN (@aftncanada) November 4, 2020
They're making a real effort to launch Thomas up the left side. Hoping for some of his magic.#ForgeFC | #ConcacafLeague | #SCL2020
— Alexander Smith (@AlexInTheHammer) November 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/ForgesBoard/status/1323803195215433730
David Choiniere pic.twitter.com/SJDvYE3UKc
— Patrice Bernier (@pbernier10) November 4, 2020
? That was close!@ForgeFCHamilton had a great chance to regain the advantage, but the header hits the crossbar! | #SCL20 pic.twitter.com/YJKzx2c1MY
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) November 4, 2020
Half down. Half to go. ?#ForgeFC | #SCL20 | @Concacaf pic.twitter.com/PCMYvJpuvL
— Forge FC (@ForgeFCHamilton) November 4, 2020
Wow how did Forge FC not score there #SCL2020
— Dre (@TheDreMos) November 4, 2020
My oh my this is tense#SCL20 | #ForgeFC | #CanPL
— Tom Walker (@TomasWalker) November 4, 2020
https://twitter.com/Division1A/status/1323817997748895744
This goes straight to penalty kicks, right? Just you know, wondering for a few friends. #CanPL #ConcacafLeague
— Kristin Knowles (@kzknowles) November 4, 2020
90' | PENALTY PENALTY!!!!@Paolosabak releases @AnthonyjNovak and the Forge number 23 beats the goalkeeper to the ball, and he brings him down!#TauroFC 1-1 #ForgeFC #SCL20
— Forge FC (@ForgeFCHamilton) November 4, 2020
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!! KRUTZEN IN THE 90TH MINUTE!!!!!!#ForgeFC #SCL2020
— The Ambitious City (@ambitiouscityyy) November 4, 2020
Just screamed in the bar for Forge MFing FC. Hold on now boys #CanPL
— Mike Whaley (@WhaleyStatic) November 4, 2020
KRUTZEN!!!!!!!!!! @ForgeFCHamilton #SCL2020 #CANPL pic.twitter.com/FwR9s6yWyx
— Louie B (@LouieB_TV) November 4, 2020
TIME TO TAKE US SERIOUSLY!!!!
GET INNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!
— Allan (@offsidetwice) November 4, 2020
Scenes in Panama City! A late PK for @ForgeFCHamilton sees the @CPLSoccer Island Games Champions advance to the Concacaf League Quarterfinals. ??
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) November 4, 2020
