AFTER SECURING a 1-0 win over the University of Santo Tomas (UST), the Ateneo Men’s Football Team failed to to maintain their winning form in their matchup against National University (NU) at the Ang Liga tournament on Saturday, August 18 at the Gatorade-Chelsea FC Blue Pitch in Makati City.
Failure to snuff out attacking threats and a barren spell in attack let the table-topping Bulldogs steal a 3-0 win at the Blue Eagle’s expense.
The match took the character of an open game, which signalled a chance for Ateneo to explore other attacking weapons and test their defensive mettle in the absence of striker Jarvey Gayoso, defender Jayrah Rocha, and coach Jaypee Merida. Unfortunately, an efficient NU performance exposed the Blue Eagles’ weaknesses on both ends as Ateneo struggled to find the net and lacked the organization to track the opposing front line.
A slow start for Ateneo allowed NU to pin them back in their own half, but their scrambling defense was enough to hold the Bulldogs at bay. The tide of the match took a turn after NU’s Marvin Viray was sent off in the 15th minute for a dangerous high kick. True enough, the Blue Eagles began to take control and respond with attacking pressure of their own.
Midfielders Enzo Ceniza and Julian Roxas were instrumental in launching swift Ateneo counterattacks by spraying passes forward and to the wings, but numerous chances went begging as the front line failed to fire past NU keeper Hayeson Pepito. Michael Castillo and Rupert Baña in particular had clear-cut attempts in the 23rd and 34th minutes that sailed inches wide.
Though Ateneo looked the more dominant side with long spells of possession, NU found acres of space down the wings and kept a constant presence in and around the box. The offensive threat paid off just as the 1st half drew to a close, as NU strikers Sean Epili and Owen Padernal each took advantage of defensive errors in the 40th and 44th minutes to put the Bulldogs up 2-0 entering halftime.
The deficit seemed to spur the Blue Eagles on even more as they turned up the heat on NU’s defensive line. Gaudiel’s high-tempo pressure was highlighted in particular as Ateneo began the second half camped in the attacking third. Baña linked up well with the midfielders, who set up chances for Castillo and Paolo Alilam to score. Carlitos Mathay and Xavier Alcuaz also gained chances in the box, but the NU defense had luck on their side and managed to escape with a vital interception or blocks.
Though Ateneo continued to bombard the defense, their failure to find a clinical finish allowed NU to fly back down the other end and stretch a tiring Ateneo defense to its limits.
In the 84th minute, a loss of possession in midfield led to a quick NU counterattack as Ateneo scrambled back to prevent a killer blow. However, a failure to clear the lines from the resulting corner kick left the ball to Ross Lawagan who calmly slid the ball past Kenn James’ outstretched hands to seal the game at 3-0.
Ateneo’s woes continued in the dying moments of the game as Ceniza and Mark Nacional each had great drives into the box, but were constantly thwarted by Pepito’s saves.
The final whistle marked the end of a frustrating afternoon for the Blue Eagles, whose countless attacking forays lacked a clinical edge and allowed the space for NU to counter with pace.
The loss puts Ateneo’s record in the preseason tournament at 1-1-0 while NU continues its claim at the top with two wins out of two games.
“We dominated possession, but like I told the team, if we don’t convert our chances, we give them a chance to convert theirs,” said coach Mark Valeroso.
In spite of this, he maintained a positive outlook on the outcome of the game. “So far, I think the team has been performing very well. Our focus for Ang Liga is to strengthen the team and build match fitness so that in case of injury or absences during the season, we can still perform well.” By
