LONDON CITY WIN OPENER

LONDON CITY WIN OPENER
London City prevented what would have been a perfect first night at Windsor Stadium on Saturday, handing Border Stars a 1-0 defeat in front of a large crowd in ideal conditions for the opening game of the Canadian Professional Soccer League season.

It was the opening game in the 33rd season in professional soccer for London since the teams launch in February of 1973.

By contrast, this was the opening game of season number two for Border Stars following their inaugural 2004 kickoff, a successful debut by winning the Open Canada Cup and a third-place finish (tied for second) in the CPSL'S Western Conference.

London defender Marco Peeters struck the lone goal, a well-placed header past Border Stars' goalkeeper Anthony Santilli off a corner kick from midfielder Gentjan Dervishi. The goal came at the 60th minute mark of an end-to-end game in which both teams had sufficient scoring opportunities to win.

Haider Al Shaibani gained a shutout in the London goal.