Atlético Ottawa was eliminated from the Canadian Premier League playoffs on Saturday afternoon, Malik Owolabi-Belewu’s second half goal enough to put Forge FC through to the final.
The first half was fairly uneventful overall, both sides reluctant to give up the first goal, and the teams combined for just five total shots. Forge had the best chance in the 40th minute, only for Barrhaven’s Matteo de Brienne to launch himself in the way of a Noah Jensen shot.
After Forge took the lead in the 53rd minute, Owolabi-Belewu holding off Jesús del Amo to get his head to the corner, ‘Ottleti’ was forced to push, taking 15 second half shots but unable to find the leveller.
Atlético and their increasingly exasperated travelling supporters, roughly 100 of whom made the trip to Hamilton, were left to rue the missed chances and watch as their opponents celebrated their victory and the end of Ottawa’s title hopes.
Forge FC now heads to Calgary for the Canadian Premier League final, which will be shown live on CBC Sports and OneSoccer at 3pm ET on November 9th.
