THE ATENEO Men’s Football Team (AMFT) emerged victorious in a high-scoring quarterfinal affair against the San Beda University (SBU) Red Booters, 4-3, earlier today at the University of the Philippines Diliman Football Field in Quezon City.
With their triumphant display against San Beda, the Katipunan-based squad secured a ticket in the semifinals of the Ang Liga Season 19 Division 1 tournament.
Forward Kofi Agyei proved to be the catalyst for the Blue Eagles yet again, bagging a brace in the win. Veterans Luard Abaa and Leo Maquiling also contributed to Ateneo’s goal-laden score sheet with one goal respectively.
In the opening minutes, Ateneo Head Coach JP Merida’s selection displayed a tight press stratagem that proved arduous for the offensive Red Booters. However, San Beda eventually unlocked the Atenean defense in the eighth minute through a long ball pass in the box that Jon Reña calmly headed to the back of the net, 1-0.
Despite the early set-back, the Blue Eagles remained determined to level the playing field. In the 11th minute, midfielder Maquiling’s corner kick found Agyei which the Ghanaian smashed past the SBU keeper to equalize the contest, 1-1.
San Beda would again threaten to strike back in the 20th minute with a set-piece opportunity, only to be denied by the crossbar. In the 30th minute, Atenean winger Dov Cariño settled to return the favor, shooting a low-driven ball that was just wide of the Red Booters’ goal.
Coming off the break, the rejuvenated Blue Eagles put on an offensive masterclass, completely stunning the Red Booters during the first 20 minutes of the second half. In the 49th minute, dead-ball specialist Maquiling managed to send a long ball forward that eventually found the head of Agyei to put Ateneo ahead, 2-1.
Shortly after, the Blue and White doubled their advantage when Abaa slotted home a rebound which soared past the dispossessed goalie for a 55th minute goal, 3-1.
As the worsening weather condition began to affect the pitch, the Blue and White remained undeterred as Maquiling found himself open with only San Beda’s keeper in his way. As the midfielder blitzed past the Red Booter at the 69th minute, his soft touch slotted the ball in the goal to give Ateneo a three-goal advantage, 4-1.
Despite the three-goal deficit, the Mendiola-based side remained determined to show their mettle. Five minutes after Ateneo’s fourth goal, the reigning National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) champions managed to find the back of the net as Paul Joshua Mapula brought his side to within two at the 74th minute, 2-4.
After ten minutes of high-intensity defense from both sides, the Red Booters were able to connect from a header once again courtesy of Pius Carlitos Encaya, who sent the ball past the capable hands of Ateneo’s Artuz Cezar, 3-4.
However, with time on the side of the Blue Eagles, their stifling defense worked wonders in staving off San Beda until the final whistle—booking their ticket to the Division 1 semifinals, 4-3.
After the tightly contested matchup, Agyei confessed that the squad should still remain calm and collected, especially now that they are entering the latter stages of the tournament in the knock-out stages. “This game is preparing us to go to the finals. […] We are just going to stay focused and keep the energy going until the finals,” shared Agyei.
Hoping to return to the Finals of Ang Liga for the first time since 2016, the Blue Eagles look to advance past the semifinals on Saturday, October 28. As of writing, Ateneo’s next opponents and kick-off time for the upcoming game have yet to be determined.
