THE BLUE Eagles’ campaign for a back-to-back championship was halted in heartbreaking fashion, as the defending champions were eliminated 0-1 at the hands of the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Growling Tigers in the semi-finals of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 80 Men’s Football tournament on Thursday, April 27 at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila.
Ninety minutes were not enough to produce a finalist, despite both sides enjoying spells of dominance throughout the match. The duel carried on into extra time, where UST’s Conrado Dimacali headed in the game-winner in the 105th minute to shatter the deadlock.
With just seconds left in their season, the Blue Eagles poured everything into finding an equalizer. Their efforts left them inches away, as Koko Gaudiel had a chance to send the match into penalties, only for his swerving free-kick to hammer against the crossbar.
“Sobrang hirap tanggapin (This defeat is very hard to take),” said Head Coach Jaypee Merida after his team’s season came to a premature end. “We had a lot of chances that we didn’t covert, and we had some problems with the last few set-pieces, but overall I’m very proud of the boys.”
The two goalkeepers, AJ Arcilla for the Blue Eagles and Jose Abraham for UST, were active early on with back-and-forth action from both sides. The Growling Tigers nearly notched the opening goal as the first half came to a close, but they were denied by a deft double save by Arcilla.
45′ – Panic from the Blue and White as the Growling Tigers nearly score off the counter. Clarino then blasts a shot over the bar to conclude the half.
Ateneo 0 UST 0#UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/ovlofQVpxY
— Jason Santos (@Jason_TheGUIDON) April 26, 2018
UST continued to threaten in the second half. In the 51st minute, Steven Antonado sprung free on the left, but stellar defensive work by Jayrah Rocha thwarted the UST counterattack.
51′ – Brilliant work from Rocha on the defensive end as his last ditch tackle stops the UST counter.
Ateneo 0 UST 0#UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/hfScKoqgfW
— Jason Santos (@Jason_TheGUIDON) April 26, 2018
The Blue Eagles appeared to score in the 68th minute through Rocha’s great strike from Jarvey Gayoso’s free kick, but his run was deemed offside by the linesman. In the final minute of added time, Arcilla claimed another UST corner that signaled 3o minutes of extra time.
The Growling Tigers finally claimed the elusive goal in the 105th minute, courtesy of Dimacali. The midfielder took advantage of the scramble inside the box from the corner, connecting a header on a loose ball to clinch the deciding goal.
105’ – Goal for UST. A scramble from a UST corner kick is finished off with Dimacali rising to score from close range.
Ateneo 0 UST 1#UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/Zj8Lgmi0hF
— Jason Santos (@Jason_TheGUIDON) April 26, 2018
Two minutes later, Jimi Haosen came close to equalizing after finding an opening by the far post, but the forward misdirected his header above the crossbar.
[Second Half – Extra Time]
107’ – Haosen springs open by the far post, but he mishits the ball out of play!
Ateneo 0 UST 1#UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/pJtZUKmWO5
— Jason Santos (@Jason_TheGUIDON) April 26, 2018
In the final seconds of the match, Haosen was taken down a few yards behind the box, earning a free kick. Veteran midfielder Koko Gaudiel stepped up to take it and nearly had a storybook ending to the match, but his free-kick bounced off the crossbar.
120’ – GAUDIEL’S FREE KICK HITS THE CROSSBAR! The veteran midfielder nearly equalizes in the final seconds of the match but is denied.
Ateneo 0 UST 1#UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/dvaJaNZFzY
— Jason Santos (@Jason_TheGUIDON) April 26, 2018
“We need to accept, we need to move on, and we need to go back to work to bounce back next season.” Coach Jaypee Merida reflected after the conclusion of the team’s season. “The players gave everything today. They never gave up. They never gave any excuses.”
Starting XI:
Ateneo: Arcilla (GK); Grierson, Rocha, Dy; Castillo, Ceniza, Roxas (c), Herrera, Mathay; Lim, Gayoso
UST: Abraham (GK); Molino, Fuchigami, De Castro (c), Busmion Di.; Bricenio, Busmion Da., Alianza, Clarino; Villanueva, Anotado
Yellow Card:
54’ – Roxas
Substitutes:
45’ – Haosen on for Lim
62’ – Bana on for Castillo
80’ – Gaudiel on for Herrera
90’+1 – Nacional on for Mathay
95’ – Alilam on for Ceniza
109’ – Roque on for Dy
