Queen's Park Rangers took the field hours after the World Cup final with heroics on their mind, as they faced Nothing Toulouse on Sunday night's late game.
In what turned out to be the most exciting match of the season, QPR was able to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, mounting a comeback in the last ten minutes against a quality side.
The first half was balanced with both teams playing tactically disciplined soccer with very little chances being produced at both ends, until Guillermo netted a header off of Zaman's free kick. 1-0 QPR.
Nothing Toulouse returned after halftime determined to tie the match, which they did with a penalty awarded for a hand ball foul despite the fact that QPR's Allison touched it with his shoulder. Shortly after, the hosts went ahead, thanks to a well-placed shot into the corner after a QPR defensive giveaway, mounting a remarkable comeback. 2-1 Nothing Toulouse.
QPR, however, did not lose hope and continued to grind out play after play, scoring chance after scoring chance, braver than 11 matadors in pink tutus. With 15 minutes left, QPR earned a penalty shot from a hand ball in the box, resulting from a K. Ganeshalingam cross after one of his many thunderous runs down the left flank. Alas, Guillermo failed to convert.
Despite a tough run of luck, QPR showed impressive resilience and continued to pour on with Zaman hitting the cross bar with yet another imperial header off of a corner kick.
With ten minutes left, QPR's hard work finally paid off tying the score 2-2 thanks to another Guillermo header off of a scramble in the box, redeeming his missed penalty.
With a handful of minutes left QPR took advantage of their momentum, took Fate by the hair, and forced victory. QPR`s hero was once again Yanful, who tapped in another cross from K. Ganeshaligam who centred a great ball after running down the left flank quicker than a jackrabbit on a hot date. 3-2 QPR.
The game had one last gasp, as Nothing Toulouse lived up to their name and organized an all-out-attack on the QPR goal. Right at the death, off of a corner kick scramble, Fasano appeared like a ghost out of the fog to deflect into safety a point-blank shot that was destined for the back of the net, to preserve QPR`s victory, and to climb to 3 points of co-leaders Balordo FC and NAFC Origami.
"Today we all the ingredients for a great soccer match: intensity, resolve, controversy, two comebacks and lots of goals. Our opponents are better than their record, and are a force to be reckoned with in this league. I'm very happy with our performance today, save for a few distractions" QPR captain Fasano said at full time.
Box Score
Nothing Tolouse 2, QPR 3
QPR Goals: Guillermo (2), Yanful
QPR Cautions: Gocool
QPR Roster
Goalkeeper: Kang.
Defenders: Allison, Arzumanian, Fasano (c), Gocool, Sansalone, Zaman.
Midfielders: Bovdis, K. Ganeshalingam, Kodjayan, Melendez, Chippy, Stypka.
Forwards: Yanful.
Next Game: Sunday July 20 @ Calabz 04, at 6:40PM, Downsview Park Outdoor Field 2
