DETERMINED TO avenge their previous loss in the Ang Liga campaign, the Ateneo Men’s Football Team were set on the win in a grudge match against reigning National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) champions San Beda College (SBC). The Red Lions, however, ran out as winners after a frustrating afternoon for the Blue Eagles on Saturday, September 9 in Carmona, Cavite.
Brought down by a lack of goals and defensive organization in their last match, the Blue Eagles were bent on producing an improved performance on both ends. Unfortunately, costly defensive lapses and a failure to find end product in attack allowed SBC to win the match (3-0). The loss sees Ateneo’s record drop to 1-2-0 and keeps them locked in 7th place, while SBC’s win pushes them into 4th.
Today’s game marked the return of striker Jarvey Gayoso and defender Jayrah Rocha from their stint with the national team at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. But with veterans Julian Roxas, Paolo Alilam, and Ged Poe absent, the Red Lions were able to exploit gaps on pitch and come out on top at the final whistle.
SBC started the game off brightly, stringing short passes well and playing through the wings. They spent most of the opening minutes in the attacking half of the pitch but Ateneo did well to defend in a solid block to keep them from troubling AJ Arcilla in goal. When possession was won back, Koko Gaudiel and Enzo Ceniza drove forward quickly, but their counterattacks were fizzled out before they could be converted into goals.
Ateneo’s defensive resilience paid off, as their counterattacks forced San Beda to settle back into their own half. Midfield and forwards constantly brought each other into play to fashion chances for Gayoso and Jimi Haosen to score in the 33rd and 35th minutes as part of Ateneo’s brightest attacking spell, though neither could find the back of the net. The Blue Eagles were beginning to dictate the tempo of the match, but a well-placed free kick from San Beda’s Aljo Zabala pulled the Red Lions up at the stroke of halftime (0-1).
In the second half, the Ateneo attack responded by stretching SBC’s defense using Gayoso’s and Sam Lim’s pace, but their opponent’s back line remained resolute, managing to cut out dangerous build-up plays. Consumed by the need to find goals, Ateneo lost some focus on defense and were punished by a Mark Magtoto header off a corner kick in the 60th minute (0-2).
A few minutes later, Ceniza struck wide from outside the box, and Lim was crowded out before getting the chance to shoot, which further underlined Ateneo’s frustration in front of goal. In the 71st minute, SBC was gifted another goal when a free-kick managed to bounce past Arcilla to boost their lead (3-0).
The goal proved to be the killer blow as most of the final 20 minutes were spent with both sides battling and exchanging possession in midfield. Shortly before the final whistle, substitute Carlo Alilam managed to slot the ball into the net for Ateneo, but was denied the goal for being offside.
The loss today is Ateneo’s second consecutive defeat, with a total of six goals conceded, and only one goal to their name in the tournament so far.
“[Though we weren’t able to find goal], the attack played fine today. The goals we conceded were really simple, but preparation is the key,” said midfielder Ceniza after the match. He also explained the other complications the team had to deal with: “A lot of us weren’t even able to eat and playing in a new venue was a big factor today.”
Another tough result marks a frustrating preseason run so far, but with more tournament matches to play and several months before they kickoff their title defense, the Blue Eagles have time to find their winning form.
