2020 CPL regular season (The Island Games) — Match #7
HFX Wanderers FC vs. Forge FC
August 19, 2020 at 8:00 p.m ET/9:00 p.m. AT
UPEI Artificial Turf Field in Charlottetown, PEI
Watch Live: OneSoccer.ca

If there’s one CPL team that manages to give Forge FC a hard time, it’s HFX Wanderers FC.

HFX is the only club that is .500 against Forge, with Stephen Hart’s side boasting a 1-1-2 record in matches between the two teams in 2019. Based on past experiences, the CPL champs are expecting another tough test against the Halifax outfit when they meet on Wednesday at The Island Games.

“I know (HFX) are always well-organized – last year they were a tough opponent for us. They keep in good shape, dealing with teams,” Forge coach Bobby Smyrniotis said this week.

Indeed, HFX showed how tough of an opponent they were by coming from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with Pacific FC over the weekend in their CPL season opener via a late equalizer.

“One thing you can’t plan for or see is how players deal with stressful situations – they’re down and the clock is ticking away,” Wanderers coach Stephen Hart told reporters after the match.

“But they fought their way back and could have easily scored. They showed good character and I told them that.”

After drawing their season opener with Cavalry, Forge rebounded with a convincing 2-0 win over FC Edmonton on Sunday, and will try to build upon that momentum and solidify their spot atop the standings with a positive result against the Wanderers.

RELATED READING: Smyrniotis pleased with how Babouli has fit in at Forge

3 THINGS TO WATCH

• HFX rookie Cory Bent: The top overall pick in the 2019 CPL-U SPORTS Draft made quite the debut against Pacific. Bent drew HFX’s first penalty and attempted ten crosses in the game, and he used his speed to great effect both in attack and defence. Hart lauded Bent’s efforts after the match, so look for the rookie to try to make a similar impact vs. Forge.

• Forge – No goals from set pieces : All eight CPL teams have given up two goals thus far at The Island Games, but Forge is the only side not to concede from open play. Cavalry scored off a set piece and from the penalty spot in their season-opening 2-2 draw with Forge. The Hamiltonian club’s defensive posture has been stellar through two games, and they’ll look to keep it up against HFX.

• The newcomers: Two of the league’s international newcomers have impressed for their teams in PEI. Brazilian forward João Morelli scored from the penalty spot and was very effective in attack in HFX’s draw with Pacific, and Belgian Paolo Sabak has lived up the hype as a first-rate passer and creator that preceded his CPL arrival at Forge.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

“(HFX) were exciting in many phases of their game against Pacific. They have a lot of speed up top, guys can swap positions easily. It makes them more dynamic.” – Forge coach Bobby Smyrniotis

“It’s just a matter of sharpness and being switched on. We were too concerned with the ref’s calls at times (against Pacific)… They took some quick free-kicks, moved the ball across to attack our weak side.” – HFX Wanderers coach Stephen Hart

ALL-TIME SERIES

Forge wins: 1 || HFX wins: 1 || Draws 2

PREVIOUS MEETING

September 18, 2019: Forge FC 1, HFX Wanderers FC 1