On a sunny Sunday morning at the Zanchin Automotive Soccer Centre in Vaughan, KO Football Academy secured a 1-0 victory over First Touch FC Jaguars Oakville in a closely contested U13 Boys Final at the 2024 MilkUP Ontario Cup. 

First Touch dominated possession early, with Emerson Myszkowski leading the charge and testing KO’s goalkeeper, Nicolas Calcagno, within the opening minutes. Jacobo Montero followed up with a strong chance in the 9th minute, but Calcagno’s sharp reflexes kept the game level. 

Despite constant pressure from First Touch, with numerous attempts from Santhiago Mejia and Yasha Shalchian in the first half, KO Football Academy’s defense held firm. Calcagno remained a key figure, denying several opportunities, including a late first-half shot from Mason Kekic that sailed over the crossbar. The first half ended scoreless, with First Touch outshooting KO 10-0. 

KO Football Academy came out with more intensity in the second half, with their first significant opportunity arriving in the 53rd minute from Luke Martins, whose shot landed on the top netting. As the game wore on, Montero continued to pose a threat for First Touch, but KO’s defense managed to stifle his efforts. 

The breakthrough came in the 65th minute after a KO corner kick. Berlingeri found Matteo Motkin, whose shot was blocked by First Touch’s Wyatt Spehar, but Malik Kiamos-Khan capitalized on the rebound, slotting the ball home for the game’s only goal. 

First Touch pressed for an equalizer late in the match, with Mejia and Kekic both coming close in the final minutes, but Calcagno continued his stellar performance, securing the clean sheet and KO Football Academy’s Ontario Cup title. Despite several close calls, KO’s defense held firm, and they secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory. 

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