THE ATENEO Men’s Football Team (AMFT) advanced to the Final Four after escaping the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 1-0, earlier tonight, April 27, at the University of the Philippines Diliman Football Pitch.
With this win, the Blue Eagles are the first team to qualify after gathering 20 total points with their 6-2-3 win-draw-loss record in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 Men’s Football Tournament.
Fast-paced attacks and impressive defense characterized the Katipunan-based squad’s first-half performance. The Blue Eagles picked up the pace in the back end of the opening 45 minutes, with opportunities opening up in the 25th and 26th minutes. A clear lane for Kofi Agyei could have been converted into a goal, but UE’s Lance Bencio disturbed the striker just enough to stop his momentum.
Another chance for Ateneo a minute later fell short as Fernando Roxas’ shot ended up being too powerful, going above the crossbar. The remainder of the half saw the AMFT controlling the pitch on both ends, creating good looks on offense.
Blue Eagle Artuz Cezar continued his bid for Best Goalkeeper, aiming for another clean sheet. Back-to-back saves in the 33rd minute set the tone for his excellent outing in today’s match.
[First Half]
— Luis Antonio Licas (@Luis_TheGUIDON) April 27, 2023
33' – An impressive defensive sequence for goalkeeper Cezar.
Ateneo 0 UE 0@TheGUIDONSports#UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/llMqeRUAb3
To close out the first canto, the AMFT banked on their defense in order to produce their first goal. At the 44th minute, a header by F. Roxas to reject UE’s free-kick found the foot of left back Fonzy Escobin, who put on an impressive spin move to blow by his defender.
However, the resulting pass was unable to connect with Leo Maquiling, as Red Warrior Bencio sent the ball back to their side of the pitch.
[First Half]
— Luis Antonio Licas (@Luis_TheGUIDON) April 27, 2023
44' – Excellent possession for Ateneo as F. Roxas heads out UE's free-kick, while Escobin puts on a show, cooking the opposing defender.
Ateneo 0 UE 0#UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/Aek8GJXGYU
A final scramble within the box in the last minute of added time found Ateneo with multiple chances to draw first blood, but without finding the back of the net, the first half ended in a deadlock, 0-0.
In the 49th minute, Maquiling broke away off a counter but UE’s defenders were able to get to the ball and disrupt the pass for Agyei in the box. The Blue Eagles finally got one past UE at the 51st minute after Roxas headed the ball in for the first goal of the match. Ateneo led 1-0 early in the second half.
[Second Half]
— Luis Antonio Licas (@Luis_TheGUIDON) April 27, 2023
52' – GOAL! Perfect sequence for Ateneo as Agyei headed Maquiling's throw-in directly to F. Roxas with his own excellent header, sending the ball into the net!
Ateneo 1 UE 0@TheGUIDONSports#UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/TJ1GxHiceS
Ateneo continued their aggressive start to the final 45 minutes as the Blue and White dominated possession that led to multiple chances, with Maquiling and Agyei as the culprits of several attempts on scoring. The Red Warriors’ first chance in the second half came at the 66th minute as UE Team Captain Palacio set his free kick attempt outside the box for goal but sent it over the crossbar.
Cezar showed his goalkeeping skills once again at the 77th minute after punching out a UE free kick attempt and a follow-up header to keep the Red Warriors scoreless.
[Second Half]
— Luis Antonio Licas (@Luis_TheGUIDON) April 27, 2023
77' – Cezar comes up with another timely save.
Ateneo 1 UE 0#UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/hmyQp42JrV
Kofi Agyei had a chance to add to Ateneo’s lead at the 84th minute with a one-on-one against the Red Warrior goalkeeper, but failed to capitalize as he put it just wide of the goal.
The Blue Eagles stood firm defensively during the final minutes to win the game and reclaim the top spot of the standings, 1-0.
“It was exactly what we were practicing yesterday in training, so Coach JP really had a set play for those throw-ins, so it just feels good to execute what coach wanted us to do,” said winger F. Roxas on his 52nd minute goal.
When asked about the Blue Eagles’ offensive strategies, AMFT Head Coach JP Merida mentioned that it was not a lucky accident. “We added the attacking corners when I analyzed UE’s game because of their size. I saw a possibility of capitalizing on these attacking throw-ins. Regarding what [Roxas] mentioned, we [practice these plays] before every game, with the addition of considering the long throw–which was why I started [Agyei],” Head Coach Merida shared.
The Blue and White will play their final match of the elimination round against the De La Salle University Green Booters on Sunday, April 30, at 6:30 PM at the same venue.
