THE ATENEO Men’s Football Team (AMFT) stunned the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 1-0, earlier today at the University of the Philippines (UP) Football Stadium in Diliman, Quezon City. This crucial win strengthens the Blue Eagles’ hold on solo third place with a 3-1-1 win-loss-draw record in Season 85 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Men’s Football Tournament.
The AMFT had good chances for the opening goal in the early minutes of the match as Leo Maquiling executed a dangerous cross in front of FEU’s goal that nearly found midfielder Luard Abaa’s foot. This sequence fired up the Blue Eagles who started the game energetic, ready to face the league-leading Tamaraws.
Another great chance at goal came at the 44th minute, as another lurking Ateneo cross found Andy Roxas in the box, who was unsuccessful in hitting the target. The intense game remained scoreless after the first 45 minutes of play.
[First Half]
— Luis Antonio Licas (@Luis_TheGUIDON) March 16, 2023
44' – Chance for Ateneo as F. Roxas' attempt skies above the crossbar.
Ateneo 0 FEU 0#UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/JE7VPWdIfc
The Blue Eagles emphatically started the last 45 minutes with a goal courtesy of Maquiling, assisted beautifully by Dov Cariño. The Ateneo duo cracked the Tamaraw defense as Cariño placed a sensational through ball to Maquiling, placing Ateneo ahead at the 48th minute, 1-0.
[Second Half]
— Luis Antonio Licas (@Luis_TheGUIDON) March 16, 2023
48' – Goal for Ateneo! Maquiling soars past the FEU defense for a clean goal!
Ateneo 1 FEU 0#UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/xmRIDXbEGD
The goal staggered FEU’s confidence as the Tamaraws failed to respond with a goal of their own.
Ateneo continued attacking while controlling the pace of the game as Cariño continued his excellent play with another great pass in the 71st minute to Kofi Agyei that nearly resulted in the AMFT’s second goal.
[Second Half]
— Luis Antonio Licas (@Luis_TheGUIDON) March 16, 2023
71' – Agyei's shot on target goes wide left.
Ateneo 1 FEU 0#UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/i63XKPulze
The Tamaraws used their substitutions in the hopes of finding a spark off the bench, but Ateneo’s solid defense made all the difference, as the 90 minutes ended with the Blue Eagles coming out on top, 1-0.
Maquiling talked about his motivation in bouncing back after an off-game in their previous match. “It feels good to finally score my first UAAP goal… [In] my last game against Adamson, I didn’t really play well, but then I made sure to rest well before today’s game.” Maquiling said after his magnificent showing against the league leaders.
The Blue Eagles’ next game will be against archrivals De La Salle University Green Archers on Sunday, March 19 at 6 PM at the UP Football Stadium in Diliman, Quezon City.
