Tihomir Maletic showed the Brantford Galaxy on Sunday night why he led the First Division of the Canadian Soccer League in goal-scoring last year.
Maletic scored two goals in the first six minutes to lead Toronto Croatia to a 4-0 victory over the Galaxy at Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke.
It was the third consecutive loss and the second in three days for the defending champion Galaxy, who get a chance to reverse their fortunes when they face SC Toronto at the Steve Brown Sports Complex in Brantford's Lions Park on June 12 at 6 p.m.
The Galaxy now have a 1-3 record while Croatia stands at 3-1-1.
Maletic, who netted 14 goals for Croatia in 2010, got Toronto off to a flying start with a goal in the second minute of the play.
Croatia was awarded a penalty shot for a Brantford hand ball in the sixth minute and Maletic beat Galaxy goalkeeper Valdimir Markotic.
Toronto increased its lead in the 55th minute when Tomislav Ples headed in a crossing pass from the five-yard line.
Croatia went ahead 4-0 in the 77th minute when Galaxy defender Raf Goldemann was sent off with a red card for tripping a Toronto player inside the box.
Croatia's Herrara Hugo scored on the ensuing penalty shot.
Sandi Matika earned the shutout for Croatia.
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