A REGRETFUL 3-0 loss against the Far Eastern University (FEU) last Sunday, January 27, at the Ocampo Field pulled the hopeful Ateneo Lady Booters down to 3rd overall.
All was going well early in the match, but lax defensive play in the 7th minute allowed FEU player Sumagpao to pass the ball thought to teammate Sobredo. Sobredo’s masterful control and unhesitant shot sent the ball to the bottom of the cross bar and into the left side of the goal.
Two minutes later, another FEU Sumagpao-Sobredo combination nearly repeated their success, but defensive pressure made the shot weak enough to be caught by Ateneo captain and goalkeeper Gely Tiu.
On the 11-minute mark, a wonderful display of passes from Ateneo’s Leah Cruz, to forward Julia Sucgang, then to rookie Camille Rodriguez and finally to rookie Aina Martin. Unfortunately the play was cancelled out as the FEU defense line intervened.
After beautifully deflecting a shot in the 15th minute, Team Ateneo wasn’t so lucky when a counter attack by FEU in the 17th minute yielded another goal. Another defensive lapse allowed FEU’s Dolino to receive the ball near the edge of the Ateneo goalie’s box. Dolino easily chipped the ball to the left, away from Tiu and into the goal to give FEU the 2-0 lead.
They had not even reached half way through the first half and the Ateneo had already struggled to keep it together. Waves of attacks from FEU just kept coming, and the FEU defense line denied Ateneo.
On the 23-minute mark, Ateneo’s passes made it to an attempt as Martin, Kimberly Jimenez and Rodriguez displayed chemistry. Rodriguez approached the goal, but her shot was easily caught.
On the 25-minute mark, Ateneo made a substitution, bringing out Sucgang for right winger Cess Trinidad.
In the 33rd minute Trinidad was fouled and the free kick was taken by Martin. Her pass was blocked, but a rebound long shot from veteran Cecille Dayrit brought the ball in front of the goal. Unfortunately, the shot was blocked by the goalie.
At halftime, FEU still led, 2-0.
Frustration started to settle in during the 49th minute when an accidental shove resulted to the fall of FEU player Amita, meriting Cecille Dayrit’s first and only yellow card of the game.
The second half turned out to be hostile as fouls were being called left and right. A yellow card was granted Siaotong for a bad foul in the 32nd minute.
On the 63rd minute, Cruz executed a pass Cecille Dayrit, who fed the ball to Romero. Romero back passed and an attempt could have unfolded, but FEU denied them the chance.
A quick counter attack was initiated by FEU and a minute later, Sumagpao received the ball. With no Ateneo defender in her way, she confidently kicked the ball to the left of the goal. The shot went past Tiu, scoring FEU’s third goal.
FEU’s offensive and defensive lines were solid all throughout. Passes were well executed and blocks were carefully calculated. Their consistent performance in the game kept the Katipunan-based squad at bay.
However, even if the odds were in favor of FEU, Ateneo still had amazing plays. Unfortunately, these plays lacked the finishing blow.
After three extra minutes of injury time, the whistle blew and the game between Ateneo and FEU ended as whopping 3-0 victory for the Tamaraws.
The Ateneo Lady Booters’ next and final game for the second round is on Sunday, February 3, 3:00 PM in the Ocampo Field against archrivals De La Salle University.
