Atlético Ottawa are playoff bound following a thrilling victory over Cavalry FC in Alberta and Carlos González’s side did so in some style, with Ballou Tabla scoring a ‘goal of the season’ contender.
The match in Calgary was billed as a “win and you’re in” affair, three points guaranteeing Atlético’s spot in the post-season for the first time in the club’s young history. A convincing 3-1 victory kept the Capital city side in the top spot of the Canadian Premier League, becoming the first team to qualify for the play offs in 2022 – a complete turn around from last year.
“It is a milestone for the club,” said Head Coach González speaking after the game. “I think that it is so important for the club, they have been fighting, having tough seasons before and I think that everybody deserves this.
“The players, people from Madrid that have worked really hard this year, and of course the fans. Today we didn’t have them here but they were pushing all season and all the city has been giving us the backup.”
Ottawa settled into the game quickly and were given a cushion within five minutes of play when Canadian forward Tabla, on the receiving end of a Miguel Acosta cross, pulled off an acrobatic bicycle kick from the edge of the penalty area to break the deadlock in incredible fashion.
“The bicycle was instinctive in the moment, I saw the ball coming and just though ‘why not’,” the 23-year-old explained. “As a professional that’s one of the best goals I’ve ever scored, even I’m a little shocked by it.”
A moment of sheer brilliance and imagination, adding to the olimpico (dubbed as an ‘Olliempico’ by local fans) scored by midfielder Ollie Bassett the weekend before, has gathered global attention with the likes of FIFA (soccer’s global governeing body) even hinting at a potential nomination for the Puskás Award – which celebrates the best goal scored in global soccer that year.
We haven’t done one of these 🧵 for a while.
Could any of these be #Puskas contenders 🤔
1⃣ Ballou Tabla of @atletiOttawa 🇨🇦
🗣️“Are you kidding me? The audacity.”pic.twitter.com/ce1Tn9ATpQ
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) September 26, 2022
In the business end of the season, with little to separate seides at the top of the table, Ottawa have been able to rely on the individual talent of their squad but, according to the former-Barcelona B starlet, that isn’t the reason for the team’s success.
“We’re a family above everything, and when you’re a family you’re there we support each other,” said Tabla. “We are a team that does a good job putting itself in a winning mentality, and that’s begins with the coach.
“He brings a grit, a winning mentality that doesn’t allow for failure. We work during the week and prepare based on the opponents and on the day we’re ready, always thinking about getting what we want from it and finding solutions.”
With only two games left in the regular season, destiny is in the hands have Tabla and his Atlético Ottawa teammates who will be keenly focussed on topping the table and bringing back the club’s first piece of silverware ahead of their post-season playoff push. Join us at TD Place on October 9th for our final home match of the regular season! CLICK HERE to get your tickets now!
