QPR 1, Yaya Kolo Touré 2

QPR took on the field after a three week break looking to advance to the semi finals and take their rightful spot among the top four teams in their division.

As the teams settled in, the game got off to a bad start for the OPS team, who went down 1-0 thanks to a cracker of a Touré player's shot.

Nothing went right for QPR, who seldom created anything in the way of shots on goal or scoring chances.

After the break a long ball went through to  a Touré forward who made good on his chance and made it 2-0.

QPR halved Touré's lead to make it 2-1 with a goal by Yanful who finished off a nice tic-tac-toe play. But it was too little, too late.

"I've seen decent game play in the build up but we were lacking in the last 20 meters. I'm severely disappointed with this result. Over the balance of the regular season we showed improved results over last season, but we were ousted at the first round like last season, unceremoniously. We'll use the break in the outdoor season to lick our wounds, deconstruct, rebuild and come back stronger than ever", said team captain Fasano post game.

BOX SCORE

QPR 1, Yaya Kolo Touré 2

QPR GOAL
Yanful (1)

QPR LINE UP

2016 Queen's Park Rangers Team Picture

QPR vs Kurdish Eagles Photogallery

QPR 1, Kurdish Eagles 3

With a victory left to clinch a spot to the quarterfinal round, Queen's Park Rangers took on Kurdish Eagles.

QPR had been working on some tactics and it showed, keeping its shape and formation.

QPR, however, struggled to create much in terms of game play and Kurdish Eagles scored on a counterattack from a QPR corner. 1-0 Kurdish Eagles.

The visitors flexed their speed and skill and scored again before the half was over to go up 2-0.

After the break, QPR went in determined to put a dent into Kurdish Eagles lead, and it showed in their offensive production. About 10 mins into the first half, QPR halved the Eagles lead after a rocambolesque play ensuing from a corner kick.

But it wasn't to be: Eagles went back to work and scored the 3-1 goal that broke QPR's spirit with a handful of minutes remaining.

"We must tip your hat to the victors, who were simply more skilled and faster. This loss makes our job to secure a top six spot in the final week a little more challenging but we're confident that we can do it and build on that momentum", team captain Fasano in the post match.

BOX SCORE

QPR 1, Kurdish Eagles 3

QPR LINE UP

QPR vs. Blazing Cannons: Photogallery

QPR 4, Blazing Cannons 2

After a crushing defeat seven days prior, QPR entered the pitch determined to return to their winning ways and solidify their position in the standings.

The Fasano brothers, Guillermo, Jasiolek and others returned into the line up to offer extra sets of lungs and legs to a QPR side that was decimated the week prior.

The game got off to a slow start for QPR, who was unable to produce anything in terms of ideas and offence for most of the first half. Overall lack of focus can account for the OPS boys falling behind 1-0 off of a corner.

With five minutes left in the half QPR started to produce in terms of offence, spreading the field open with its five midfielders. With a few seconds left, Blazing Cannons' goalkeeper takes Durai down and the referee whistles for a penalty, which R. Fasano converts, sending the teams to half time with the score locked at 1-1. 

A little half time pep talk and resetting of tactics helped QPR propel itself in the second half. After a barren first 15 minutes, QPR increased the intensity and the speed of play putting its long bench to work. Hoque sent a ball in to R. Fasano who pulled a sombrero on Blazing's left back, and centred a ball for Jaziolek who twisted and turned in the box, got passed the goalkeeper to put QPR ahead. 2-1.

About 10 minutes later, F. Fasano brushed a free kick into the box and Guillermo heads home for the 3-1 insurance goal (picture below). 

GUILLERMO HEADS HOME THE 3-1 FROM F. FASANO'S CROSS

Blazing Cannons were no pushovers and kept the pressure on to try to draw the match. Taking advantage of a counter attack, they clawed back a goal to make the game a one-goal affair: 3-2 for QPR.

With seconds remaining in the match, Edeh won a ball on the left wing and cut in all alone on goal to score the final 4-2 goal that would break Blazing's spirits for good. 

KEN EDEH, A THORN IN BLAZING'S SIDE

"It was important to get back on track after last week's unfortunate game, and we did just that. We look to finish top six in order to avoid the wild card round by finishing the last two games of the regular season in solid fashion", were captain Fasano's words after the final whistle.


BOX SCORE
QPR 4, Blazing Cannons 2

QPR GOALS
R. Fasano, Jasiolek, Guillermo, Edeh.

QPR LINE UP

Korean Gunners 7, QPR 3

QPR GOALS: Dewar (3)

QPR LINE UP:

Jokerz 5, QPR 2

QPR was called to a big test on Sunday, squaring off to a team for a chance at first place.

QPR did not get suckered into Jokerz bad talk and mind games in the first half and finished leading the home side 1-0 thanks to a sweet lob by Yanful.

As determined as in the first half, QPR started the second by creating a few chances but also ran the same risks as in the first. This time, however, they didn't pay off: about 10 minutes into the second half QPR conceded two goals in the matter of two minutes, which proved to be the beginning of an epic collapse.

Jokerz added two more goals before QPR reacted with good, simple, game play, pulling a goal back by their talisman Guillermo. But by then it was too late, and Jokerz punished QPR once again after all form was thrown to chance.

"This is a difficult loss to swallow against an adversary who is difficult to respect due to their lack of civility and sportsmanship on the field. We will look avenge this loss", said QPR team captain R. Fasano after the match.

BOX SCORE 

Jokerz 5, QPR 2

QPR GOALS

Yanful, Guillermo

QPR LINE UP

Yaya Kolo Touré 1, QPR 1

QPR took on the field determined to gain its fourth consecutive victory against bottom-dweller Yaya Kolo Touré (YKT).

The home side was short of players, but despite that used delaying and slowing tactics effectively breaking QPR's game rhythm, who struggled to create many scoring chances in the first half.

After the break QPR came out more determined and created some scoring chances with Jasiolek, Yanful, Durai and Guillermo.

Finally, with 10 minutes to go QPR netted what they thought was the game winner with Jasiolek who scored his seventh goal of the season. 1-0 QPR

The home side however took advantage of a double substitution in centre midfield and caught QPR unawares sending a forward alone on goal leaving Mulchan no option but to foul him for a penalty. The YKT taker made no mistake from the spot and sent everyone home with a 1-1 draw.

"Allowing the tying goal at the 90th minute against a bottom-dweller who was two men down burns.

This draw tastes like defeat to me. 

Nonetheless, we need to metabolize it, and be mentally and physically prepared for the big game next weekend where we'll challenge the league-leaders" were captain R. Fasano's post match words.

BOX SCORE

Yaya Kolo Touré 1, QPR 1

QPR GOAL 

Jasiolek

QPR LINE UP

Oromia FC 2, QPR 4

In yet another torrid Sunday afternoon, QPR took on Oromia FC in a battle for a podium finish.

The hosts were short a few players at kickoff, which QPR took full advantage of shortly after kickoff. A delicious ball in by R. Fasano sent Durai alone on goal, which left the last defender with little choice but to foul him. Jasiolek converted the penalty to put the good guys ahead 1-0. 

Shortly after Jasiolek made it 2-0 by taking advantage of a messy Oromia defence.

The hosts showed they were no pushovers, and within a matter of five minutes leveled the score with two goals that the QPR defence should have done better with. 

Before the half ended, however, QPR regained the lead with Durai who slotted a diagonal shot passed Oromia's goalkeeper. 3-2 QPR.

After the break QPR suffered some of Oromia's game play but the defence did well to deal with the opposing forwards' speed, rendering useless Oromia's countless longballs.

Jasiolek finally put the game beyond all doubt by completing a hat-trick in style: alone on goal he deked out the opposing goalkeeper and slotted the ball in the back of the old onion bag. 

"We were mentally strong not to allow their comeback get to us. We used it as a wake up call instead of allowing it to overcome us. This is part of this team's growth path. We're in a good position in the standings and the next games will say what we're made of", said captain R. Fasano in the post game.

BOX SCORE
Oromia 2, QPR 4

QPR Goals
Jasiolek (3), Durai

QPR LINE UP

QPR 2, Knights of Cydonia 1

On another windy Sunday afternoon, QPR took the field against Division 3 rivals Knights of Cydonia.

A balanced match was to be expected as Knights had two points more than QPR going into the match.

After some sparring and studying from kick off, QPR started to impose play mixing through balls with long ones.

From a R. Fasano intuition, Fazli scored the first goal rebounding a defensive mix up by threading a ball through the legs of Knights' last defender and in the old onion-bag. 1-0 QPR.

Some minor reaction by Knights and yet another masterful application of the offside trap by part of the QPR defence brought the first half to a close with the score QPR 1, Knights 0.

The second half got off to a thundering start for QPR: Durai beat the last defender with a through ball that hung in the wind and beat the outstretched Knights goalkeeper to put the "good guys" ahead with two goals to none.

Knights really poured on the attack, and reduced the gap by one goal after a fog of rebounds deep in the QPR box.

The Queen's Park side resisted remaining attacks and was seldom dangerous in front of goal for the rest of the game. At the triple whistle, the Rangers lifted their hands aloft strong of achieving a second win in a row for the first time this season.

"Wins like these make one realize the true potential of this QPR team. Last year our team was a mid-table side, ranking lower than Knights of Cydonia all season. The return of Mulchan, and soon Kodjayan, we are looking to go from strength to strength and achieve the outmost this season", were captain R. Fasano's post-game words.

BOX SCORE
QPR 2, Knights of Cydonia 1

QPR GOALS
Fazli, Durai

QPR LINE UP 

QPR 1, CPU FC 0

In a blistering hot Father's Day Sunday afternoon QPR took on league rivals CPU FC looking for their second win of the season.

QPR started on the right foot with Jasiolek who attempted a spectacular lob over the oncoming CPU goalkeeper who was lucky to see it wide to his left.

Jasiolek again had another attempt at goal from a spot kick just outside the box, which the opposing goalkeeper did well to trap.

Five minutes later it was R. Fasano who curled a free kick over the CPU wall and passed a defender who was standing on the goal line but was unlucky to see it skin the bottom of the crossbar and out.

The half ended with a few scares for the QPR defence saved by Pasternak on the goal line and by Lady Luck herself.

The second half got off to a cracking start for QPR. Jasiolek won a ball in attack, bullied himself into the box and thundered a shot passed the faultless CPU goalkeeper. 1-0 QPR.

QPR pored on the attack with shots by Yanful, Durai and Jasiolek again, without avail.

On the other side, the defence composed by Loskutov, Allison, Gocool, Alexe and R. Fasano put on a clinic, catching the opposition offside a dozen times and gaining a much deserved shut out.

"Playing a physically fit side is difficult under normal conditions, more so when you're short handed and playing in 30 C weather. We got lucky a few times today but we fully deserved the win. As we grow, we need to be less selfish and pass the ball in key moments, especially when our teammates are better positioned", stated captain R. Fasano after the final whistle.

BOX SCORE: QPR 1, CPU FC 0

QPR GOAL: Jasiolek

QPR Line-Up:

Blazing Cannons 2, QPR 2

On a windy Sunday night, QPR took on their week 1 rivals Blazing Cannons thirsting for another victory.

Things got off to a pretty good start with Kassak seeking the goal from afar in an effort to try to take advantage of favourable wind.

At the 30 minute mark, Guillermo was taken down outside Blazing's box. Dewar stood over the ball and blasted it around the wall and passed the opposing goalkeeper. 1-0 QPR.

With a few minutes left in the half, Fazli won a ball in attack, crossed it over to Yanful who touched through for R. Fasano who slotted in a school boy's goal. 2-0 QPR.

However, the winds of change descended on the OPS team after the break. Blazing Cannons took repeated attempts at goal trying to take advantage of the favourable wind, hitting the woodwork twice in the process.

At the 20 minute mark Pasternak was unable to control a thunderous shot, carried by the wind and allowed Blazing the 1-2 goal.

After missing the 3-1 goal on a few occasions, QPR conceded a dubious penalty, called (of all things) by the linesman. Blazing's forward slotted it in to the right of Pasternak for the 2-2 final score.

"Disappointed in today's result especially after the hot start. We played under unusual conditions today, so it's hard to make heads or tails from today's performance. We need to play a little 'smarter', passing and holding on to the ball a little more and defending fiercely", said Fasano after the match. 


BOX SCORE
Blazing Cannons 2, QPR 2


QPR GOALS
Dewar, Fasano


QPR LINE UP

Korean Gunners 3, QPR 1

In week 2 action, Queen's Park Rangers were looking to register their first ever back-to-back win out of the gate. 

Korean Gunners were fresh off a generous win over their opposition, and were looking to continue that streak. 

The first half saw QPR create very little in terms of scoring opportunities, with trouble constructing game play. 

Gunners on the other hand created a few, most notably an attempt from point-blank which Pasternak kept out with his instinct.

Lady luck wasn't on QPR's side as muscle injuiries sidelined the Fasano brothers at half, and the rainy weather didn't help QPRs technical players, whose passes skipped or ran off the pitch. 

Gunners made the game theirs in the second half by opening the scoring off of a header that lobbed over Pasternak, and doubling the scoring shortly after with a blast that the QPR keeper couldn't punch out. 2-0 Gunners.

With their backs against the wall, QPR's best moment in the game came. Jasiolek won a ball in the Gunner box, turned around and blasted it to the keeper's right to make the score 2-1. 

QPR pushed hard to level the score but chances by Fazli and Jasiolek were blocked by the opposing keeper. The all-out-and-attack approach by QPR eventually led to a Gunner counterattack and their third and final goal. 

"In this division we have a lot of sides like Korean Gunners: skilled, physically prepared, and tactically aware. We are no pushovers, held our own for a while and should have done better in the end. Looking forward to our next match against Blazing Cannons the worst thing we can do is assume that we're owed a win: they'll be hungry and looking to avenge the defeat that we inflicted on them in Week 1", said captain Fasano after the match. 

Box Score
Korean Gunners 3, QPR 1

QPR Goals
Jasiolek

QPR Line Up

  

QPR 2, Blazing Cannons 1

QPR Goalkeeper Pasternak explains a tactial play before kickoff

QPR's fourth season got off to a pyrotechnic start on Sunday night. 

With six brand new recruits out of the starting 11, variables like team chemistry, game play and ability to get a result were all to be tested. 

After feeling each other out like boxers at the beginning of a bout, QPR's first chance came at about the 10 minute mark, with a shot on goal by Tom that the Blazing Cannons keeper struggled to hold on to but parried away. A handful of minutes later, R. Fasano picked up a ball from midfield and threaded it through Blazing's defence for Jasiolek who picked it up and beat the opposing goalkeeper with a shot off the far post. 1-0 QPR. 

The half proceeded well for the OPS side, until the unexpected happened. With a few minutes left in the half, a shot from outside the box deflected off of a QPR defender to beat a faultless Pasternak. 1-1.

This finish made QPR ever more determined to start the second half well. And they did. Five minutes from the restart, QPR took the lead again. This time it was central defender Loskutov who took some time off leading the defence to smash home the 2-1 winner. 

Chances by F. Fasano and Jasiolek could have increased the score further, while on the other end Pasternak, Mulchan, Allison and Gocool worked assiduously to keep the opposition from scoring. 

"The point today was to see what the new guys can do and to start to build team chemistry. We started well, but the season is long and littered with traps. We have to keep our wits about us", captain R. Fasano remarked after the final whistle. Stay tuned for news on upcoming games on this blog.


BOX SCORE
QPR 2, Blazing Cannons 1



QPR Goals: Jasiolek, Loskutov



QPR Line Up:

Rapport and QPR tie the knot!

QPR is excited to announce Rapport Credit Union as its 2016 sponsor. 

Rapport supported QPR in the first two seasons when it was known as the Credit Union for All Public Servants. On Thursday, team captain Fasano visited Rapport's headquarters in Toronto to deliver the 2016 Jersey to Rapport management (Margaret Williams and Angela Tsiampas, in the photo below). 

"This credit union has been behind us from day one. We're happy to see that this partnership has been renewed, and hope that it continues well into the future", team captain Fasano remarked. 

Rapport has provided top-shelf financial products for over two decades, to public servants and the broader public as well. For more information on mortgages, investments, savings accounts and more visit: https://www.rapportcu.ca




 

2016 Jerseys Unveiled!

As the Queen's Park Rangers prepare for Season 4 on Sunday May 29, they unveil their 2016 QPR Jersey. Check them out:

QPR Crest

Front of the jersey

2016 OPS Recruitment Drive

On Friday February 5, QPR participated in the Tomorrow's Ontario Public Service's "Showcase Event" in the St. Lawrence Lounge (900 Bay Street, Toronto).

The Showcase was an opportunity to raise awareness and to continue our recruitment for new players for 2016.

To express your interest in joining please fill the following form (OPS employees preferred): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1K91HIWRfhYD036s69houc3DXuQghxj3Nfd-JPS2Vp4g/viewform

QPR Fall 2015 Indoor Champions!

On January 24 the Queen's Park Rangers added their second piece of silverware.

After topping the regular indoor season at Downsview Park, QPR defeated FC SDR in the Final playoff for all the marbles.

The match was hard fought, neither team willing to give up the prestige of being crowned champions.

A 1-1 tie at the end of regulation brought the teams to a penalty shootout. Up by one penalty, the decisive attempt fell on MCSS' "Dangerous Dan" Yanful:

"I'm very proud of this accomplishment and of our boys - we did it!", said coach Michael Allison as QPR players celebrated their win in jubilation. This is QPR's first trophy in an indoor league, the second trophy after the win in the 2014 outdoor season.

At this time, we would like to thank the Foxes Den Bar and Grill for their continued support as our sponsor.

BOX SCORE

QPR 1, FC SDR 1 (5-4 after penalties)

Roster: Dan Yanful, Michael Allison, Marc Mulchan, Bernardo Melendez, Soben Thambidurai, Greg Loskutov, Harry Kang, Elias Chaker, Patrick McDowell, Ahmed Hussein, Graeme Dewar.