THE ATENEO Blue Booters were outplayed and outhustled by their opponents from Taft in their season opener for the 73rd UAAP Football tournament on Sunday, January 16. What was a hyped up match between two rivals became a nightmare to watch for home fans as the game ended 5-1 after 90 minutes of football.
Such an upsetting outcome in the beginning of the season does not show any good signs for any team.
The home advantage was taken apart by La Salle as they came out in full throttle. In the first half, the Taft side relentlessly attacked Ateneo’s back-line, the Ateneo defense unable to cope as they struggled to regain possession.
Midway through the first half, La Salle opened their scoring account off a cross from one of their strikers. Their second goal came soon after as Ateneo’s keeper slipped, fumbling a searing low-hit cross from the right flank.
Ateneo’s sole point came from Anton Amistoso. Amistoso’s header was blocked by the towering La Salle goalie, but the striker was first to the follow up, sneaking in a killer strike from a tight angle in the bottom right corner.
But La Salle soon killed of any glimmer of hope in the Ateneo fans, kicking off the second half with a voracious unwillingness to give up their lead. Their riveting attacks on both flanks, and piercing long balls was too much for the Ateneo defense to handle.
Soon the Green Archers converted on their attacks, adding two more goals to their lead, 4-1.
After the third goal was scored, Ateneo looked like they had accepted defeat. The defense remained absent throughout the game, and their attacking play simmered down to hapless long balls to their strikers—with their best scoring opportunities coming from free kicks outside the penalty box.
La Salle’s fifth goal before the final whistle was the nail in the coffin for the Blue Booters.
Ateneo head Coach Ompong Merida claimed the loss was due to lack of mental toughness and focus. “We had plays and tactics in place but the mental fight was not there today making our defense suffer badly. We did not communicate well and we did not remember our spots on the field,” said the coach.
Veteran players Anton Amistoso and Miguel Tuazon added, “The team has done everything we can to prepare for the season with training, fitness and tactics; but we realized today that we still lack something, and as a team we are trying to address it.”
The Blue Booters’ next match is against UP on Wednesday, January 19, 3pm at the Erenchun Field.
