A DOGGED display from the Ateneo Blue Eagles secured a convincing 3-1 victory over the National University (NU) Bulldogs in the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium today, February 11.
The Blue Eagles were reeling from their season-opening loss at the hands of the University of the Philippines (UP), and needed an immediate response to get them back on track for Season 80 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Men’s Football tournament.
NU Bulldog Jekar Sullano snatched an early lead for his squad, but was answered by a barrage from Rupert Baña, Jarvey Gayoso, and Jayrah Rocha. The Blue Eagles’ first win of the season splits their record at 1-0-1, good for 4th in the standings.With a grudge match against archrivals De La Salle University (DLSU) just four days away, the Blue and White hopes the victory will reignite their winning form.
Ateneo Team Captain Julian Roxas did not play due to illness. However, Carlitos Mathay and William Grierson both returned to action in the back line after missing the season opener.
The Blue Eagles generated promising chances early on, but multiple passing errors complicated their approach. In the sixth minute, NU midfielder Sullano intercepted a misplaced pass by Baña by the halfway line, surveyed the field, and fired from almost 50-yards out resulting to an incredible goal.
6’ – Goal for NU. After Baña’s misplaced pass, Colina picked up the ball a few meters past the half-way line and sent it straight to the top-right corner!
Ateneo 0 NU 1 #UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/KlzG4vF6is
— Joaquin A. Santos (@Joax_TheGUIDON) February 11, 2018
ERRATUM: Goal was scored by Midfielder Jekar Sullano, not Lawrence Colina.
— Joaquin A. Santos (@Joax_TheGUIDON) February 11, 2018
A formation change midway through the half by Ateneo Head Coach Jaypee Merida gave new life to the team. The Blue Eagles switched from a back-four to the flexible 3-5-2, giving the team width and creating space for the midfielders to operate.
Baña, who was playing as a wingback as a result of the formation change, redeemed himself with a 32nd minute equalizer from Gayoso’s deep cross.
31’ – GOAL! Gayoso crosses from deep left. Baña controls and fires into the bottom corner!
Ateneo 1 NU 1#UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/40HMyTJBQN
— Joaquin A. Santos (@Joax_TheGUIDON) February 11, 2018
A minute later, the invigorated Blue Eagles claimed the lead after Gayoso’s stellar show of skill. The reigning Most Valuable Player received the ball at the left from Jimi Haosen, then promptly dribbled past a pair of NU defenders for his first goal of the season.
32’ – GOAL. Haosen intercepts an errant NU pass and finds Gayoso streaking on the left. Gayoso then waltzes through the NU defense to claim the lead!
Ateneo 2 NU 1 #UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/IN9GTrud3i
— Joaquin A. Santos (@Joax_TheGUIDON) February 11, 2018
The Blue Eagles nearly doubled their advantage in the 35th minute, but Jayrah Rocha’s header was disallowed after the corner swung outside. Rocha made no mistake in the 52nd minute, heading in the Blue Eagles’ third goal from a Gayoso’s corner kick—his second assist of the day. Ateneo utilized a more defensive style of play as the match progressed which sealed the statement 3-1 scoreline.
[2nd Half] 52’ – GOAL! After being denied his first, Rocha makes no mistake with a nearly identical header from Gayoso’s corner!
Ateneo 3 NU 1#UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/QIuPQGScyj
— Joaquin A. Santos (@Joax_TheGUIDON) February 11, 2018
“I was happy with the result today,” said Coach Merida on today’s comeback win.
“Before the NU game, in our four or five training sessions, we couldn’t find confidence in our finishing – the team was frustrated. That made me worry, especially after conceding an early goal, but I am very happy with the response and that we scored quickly.”
The Blue Eagles have a chance to kick off a winning run on Thursday, February 15, against the De La Salle Green Archers. The match will start at 4:00 PM in the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
Starting XIs:
Ateneo: Arcilla (GK); Mathay, Grierson, Rocha (c), Dy; Herrera, Ceniza, Gaudiel, Baña; Haosen, Gayoso
NU: Perocho (GK); Caringal, Socrates, Fabro, Mantal Jr.; Sullano, Viray, Colina, Capellan, Valenzuela; Mbei
Substitutions:
64’ – Castillo on for Gaudiel
76’ – Alilam on for Gayoso
82’ – Nacional on for Baña)
90’ + 1 – G. Poe on for Haosen
Yellow Card:
79’ – Jayrah Rocha
