Quebec City Amiral News Release - www.amiraldequebec.com
Thursday, July 19, 2012
QUEBEC CITY, Que. - "We will learn and surprise" was the motto of the Québec City Amiral at the beginning of the 2012 W-League season, and they have certainly done both.
Two months and 12 games later, the team from Québec owns some impressive statistics: 8 wins, 2 draws and only 2 defeats. This adds up to a second-place finish in the Central Conference, allowing the Amiral to host the conference finals for the first time this weekend. The top team in the conference, the Ottawa Fury, will host the 2012 W-League Championship and have advanced directly to the final weekend.
A memorable season and final sprint
Rejuvenated and returnig 70 percent of the roster from 2011, the 2012 edition of the Amiral learned fast.
"We knew that the girls were young but talented. It took them a short time to get to know the league's level, but they believed in themselves and their results are there to prove that," Amiral Head Coach Samir Ghrib said.
Québec City has been undefeated since June 22, and its players succeded in playing five games in 10 days, winning four with one draw. The Amiral even defeated the Fury on their home field on July 15, giving them their first home loss in 31 games.
The playoffs: a new season
In 2011, the Amiral played in the conference final for the first time in their history, losing to Ottawa in a disappointing 6-0 game. The young team will try to do better in 2012, hopefully reaching the W-League's final four.
"It's the beginning of a new season and we will stay faithful to our philosophy: One game at a time," Ghrib said. "Our success in the regular season allows us to believe in our means, but we know it won't be easy. We will have to work, work and work again, but that's our trademark."
The Amiral will face Hamilton FC at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday at the Collège François-Xavier Garneau. Laval and Toronto will meet in the other semifinal game at 4 p.m. ET. The final is set to take place at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday on the Amiral's home turf.