PLAYING THEIR first game of Season 75, the new look Ateneo Blue Booters failed to land a killer blow against the University of the East (UE) as the game finished scoreless at the newly finished Moro Lorenzo Football Field (formerly Erenchun Field) on December 2, Sunday.
Despite the draw, the Blue and White controlled the tempo and had most of the chances, but they just couldn’t finish.
Right from the get-go, Ateneo threatened the UE box with a header that went wide.
Five minutes in, striker Jacobo Lorenzo took advantage of a poor UE possession, only to see his shot saved by the goalkeeper.
Against the run of play, UE gave the Katipunan-based squad a scare in the 12th minute when a free kick by one of their midfielders hit the upright after receiving a touch from Ateneo skipper Yu Murayama.
The game then toned down with both teams not really getting into any sort of groove.
However, as the first half drew to a close, the Blue Booters had three clear chances from Lorenzo, midfielder Mikko Mabanag and striker Armand Gozali, but none found the back of the net.
The second half proved much better for the Blue Booters, as they did not allow the Recto-based squad any chances at their goal. Their offense, however, mirrored their first half.
Rookie striker Valentino Calvo got close to scoring the 51st minute, but he skied the shot.
Three minutes later, Italian-raised midfielder Carlo Liay saw his chance go wide after getting a head from a free kick. He would then have another go 12 minutes from time, this time from long-range, but it ended up in the clutches of the UE goalkeeper.
Calvo had a golden opportunity in the 88th minute as he broke away care of a nicely weighted through ball from the midfield, but his shot went straight to the goalkeeper.
The Blue Booters were handed a distinct advantage two minutes into stoppage time after UE defender Aguirre was sent off for receiving his second yellow card. Mabanag had one last chance, yet it went right to the goalkeeper once again. The referee blew his whistle almost immediately after.
Despite the game’s high level of physicality, there were a number of worrying moments for the Blue and White, but luckily none of them sustained injuries.
With the draw, Ateneo earned its first point of Season 75. They will be hoping to get their first three points in their next game against last season’s runner-up, University of Santo Tomas at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, December 5, at the Moro Lorenzo Football Field.
