Another Game Another Point: Atlético Ottawa Draw 1-1 Against Halifax Wanderers
On September 29, Atlético Ottawa faced the Halifax Wanderers at TD Place, resulting in a 1-1 draw. Ottawa dominated the first half with impressive play and strong performances, particularly from Ollie Bassett, who appeared to be regaining his form from past years. Halifax struggled with ball retention and failed to create significant scoring opportunities. However, Ottawa’s half-time pep talk drastically shifted their approach, leading to a completely different team in the second half — and not for the better. They adopted a more defensive strategy that backfired, contributing to their ongoing September woes, marking the third consecutive year they have failed to secure a win in this month. Although Ottawa remains undefeated in their last seven games, they have only managed to earn single points in their last four outings, having squandered early leads in each of their last three matches, this one included.
The team started strong, and just two minutes in, excitement erupting as Bassett cut the ball through to Matteo de Brienne in the box. The Barrhaven boy attempted to cut it back for Ballou Tabla, but it was deflected by Clément Bayiha, allowing Yann Fillion to sprint into action and dive to collect the ball.
Not a minute later, Bassett kept the ball in at the byline and fed it centrally to Rubén Del Campo, who found himself covered by two defenders. With deft footwork, Del Campo created a shooting opportunity, but Halifax’s Dan Nimick diverted the strike behind for a corner.
It was the play coming off this corner that gave Ottawa the early lead in the fourth minute of play. Bassett collected the ball up the left flank and fed it back to Tabla, and after working to find an opening, the winger advanced the ball between Halifax defenders to find Manny Aparicio – he lifted it towards the far post in a cross that Amer Didić met with precision, heading the ball into Fillion’s net to the fans’ delight.
The Wanderers sought to respond in the 17th minute, unleashing their first real opportunity of the match. Sean Rea quickly passed forward to Ryan Telfer, who subsequently backheeled the ball to Zachary Fernandez. With Atlético defenders closing in, Fernandez unleashed a low shot, but Ottawa’s goalkeeper Nathan Ingham dashed off his line, executing a stunning split save that redirected the ball away from danger and out for a corner.
In the 19th minute, Ottawa countered, with Bassett just outside the penalty arc, when he quickly glanced at the goal and took a powerful shot from distance, forcing Fillion to dive and parry the ball away from the target.
Ottawa maintained their tenacity for the remainder of the first half. In the 22nd minute, Fillion’s free kick went awry and he gifted the ball to Aparicio, who swiftly found Del Campo at the top of the box, threading the needle to Tabla just 12 yards out. Unfortunately, Tabla took too many touches, allowing Massimo Ferrin to snatch the ball away to the crowd’s disappointment.
Given a free kick earned in the 34th minute, Bassett opted for a short play, allowing Didić to dart in for a powerful shot that soared over the wall and, regrettably, over the crossbar. Bassett had his own shot four minutes later when his corner kick was punched away by Fillion. Del Campo got on the ball and shot, but it was deflected, slowing the ball’s momentum enough for the goalkeeper to pick it up.
Halifax had the final opportunities of the half starting in the 42nd minute with a set piece in a dangerous area. Lorenzo Callegari crossed the ball in, and Nassim Mekideche headed it in the side netting. A minute later, Ferrin tried to volley Giorgio Probo’s play switch but sent it high over the net. Finally, Rea attempted a shot in the 45th minute, sending the ball wide of the target.
As the first half drew to a close, Ottawa held a narrow one-goal lead, having created numerous opportunities to extend it. The halftime statistics highlighted Ottawa as the stronger team, despite both sides registering seven shots. Ottawa had three shots on target compared to Halifax’s lone effort, and possession and corner kicks favored the home side. However, a tactical change at halftime worked to Ottawa’s detriment, as the statistics quickly began favoring the visitors.
Ottawa kicked off the second half seeking to maintain their momentum regardless of the defensive shift. Despite the change, ATO managed a couple of chances, including a near miss in the 52nd minute. Dani Morer executed a throw-in to Liberman Torres, who quickly returned the pass. Morer then advanced the ball to the corner flag before crossing it towards goal. Bassett got his head to it, but the ball sailed over the net — Ottawa’s determination was palpable, but Halifax was ready to counter.
Just two minutes later, Morer fouled Andre Rampersad in a threatening area in front of the net. Probo swung the free kick towards the back post, where Ingham came off his line to punch the ball away. However, the play was halted due to a head collision involving Didić and Mekideche, with Ingham also staying down after crashing mid-air with Nimick. Fortunately, everyone was cleared and the match continued.
In the 58th minute, Didić had just returned to the field when disaster almost struck for Ottawa. After a chaotic scramble in the box following a Halifax corner, Didić collided with Fernandez, and amidst the chaos, the ball soared high, allowing Callegari to volley it into the net. However, the referee blew the whistle to halt play and dismissed the goal for offside. The near-equalizer rattled Ottawa, who needed to regroup quickly as the Wanderers pressed forward with newfound energy.
Halifax regained possession in the 61st minute and launched a long ball towards the top of the box. Ingham rushed to the edge of the box to make a crucial clearance, preventing Probo from collecting it — the ball landed at Rampersad’s feet, and in an attempt to catch Ingham out of position, he fired a long shot that skied over the goal, to the relief of Ottawa’s defense.
In the 69th minute, a clever play unfolded as Ferrin advanced a short ball into the box for Telfer, who quickly flicked it back. However, Del Amo applied pressure, causing Ferrin to lose control, allowing Ingham to drop to his knees and secure the ball. Seconds later, Callegari advanced down the left flank to Probo, who crossed it to Telfer – he took a shot that was easily parried away by Ingham, who was standing firm against the Halifax pressure.
With tension building, Callegari sent a set piece into Ottawa’s box, which Ingham confidently caught in the 73rd minute. Then in the 79th minute, the game took a turn as Halifax earned a corner. Callegari delivered the ball perfectly to the center of the penalty area where Mekideche stood ready, not properly marked, to head it on and past Ingham’s left shoulder. From that moment on, Ottawa’s play became more chaotic, and frustration mounted as they sought to regain their lead.
As the clock ticked down, Ingham made a crucial catch in the 93rd minute, preventing Halifax from capitalizing on a long ball. However, moments later, the ball found its way back into Ottawa’s end, and Ingham had to charge out of his box to clear a long shot. Initially catching the ball, his momentum carried him forward, forcing him to let go at the edge of the box to avoid incurring a hand ball. As the match concluded, it was evident that Ottawa’s tactical changes at halftime cost them the full three points, as they managed only three additional shots to Halifax’s seven and they didn’t register a single shot on target, whereas Halifax garnered three, seizing the moment when it mattered most. Even more glaring than this, Ottawa conceded 70% possession to the away side in the second frame, a contrast to the 54% Ottawa had enjoyed in the first half.
As the season draws to a close with just three matches remaining, Ottawa is determined to secure their second-place standing in the league table, and in this they face a crucial away match against York United on October 6th at 5 PM. Currently holding second place, Ottawa faces fierce competition from York, who sit in fourth – the stakes are high, especially after their last encounter, which saw Ottawa take an early lead only to crumble to a 4-1 defeat. With playoffs approaching, every point counts, and we invite you to rally together at the Glebe Central Pub for an exciting watch party as Ottawa fights to maintain their standing.
About the author
C.D. Girard (she/her/elle) discovered Atlético Ottawa during their 2023 season and has been a loyal fan ever since. A long-time admirer of the sport, she first began playing football at the age of seven and most looks forward to international competitions where she supports both Canada and the Netherlands.
