TEAM CAPTAIN Julian Roxas’ 85th minute tap-in spared the Blue Eagles in today’s match, as the Blue and White avoided a second consecutive defeat by drawing against the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 1-1, in their second match of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Men’s Football Tournament on Sunday, February 24, at the FEU Diliman Football Field in Quezon City.
Both sides opted to play the match with three defenders at the back to gain control of possession early on. The first half was relatively even, with both sides finding chances from swift counter-attacks and combination plays from midfield.
31'- Gayoso gets played in through goal; the final ball however, is too late and the striker is waved offside.
Ateneo 0 FEU 0#UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/62G7J3tCEt
— Jason R. Santos (@Jason_TheGUIDON) February 24, 2019
FEU struck first as a 45th minute headed goal from John Saldivar sent the Tamaraws into halftime with a one-goal advantage. Exiting halftime, the Blue Eagles looked to create chances from out wide, with Joaquin Roque and Jabez Setters putting pressure on the left flank with quick interchanges.
73'- Setters plays in Alleje through on goal; the striker fires wide.
Ateneo 0 FEU 1#UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/jzbpCmfULS
— Jason R. Santos (@Jason_TheGUIDON) February 24, 2019
The Blue and White’s first genuine chance of the game came in the 75th minute as midfielder Nino Herrera blasted a shot into the bottom left corner, forcing FEU keeper Dave Parac into a tough save.
75'- Chance. Herrera blasts a shot into the bottom left corner; Parac does brilliantly on the save.
Ateneo 0 FEU 1#UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/fX0a0fM9jf
— Jason R. Santos (@Jason_TheGUIDON) February 24, 2019
In the 81st minute, rookie Szymon Mercado came up huge for the Blue and White diving into a last-ditch tackle after sprinting half the length of the pitch to deny FEU from going 2-0 up.
81'- Mercado with the heroic last-ditch effort to keep Ateneo in the match.
Ateneo 0 FEU 1#UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/h6Nb5LanW3
— Jason R. Santos (@Jason_TheGUIDON) February 24, 2019
Eventually, the Blue and White’s long awaited goal came in the 85th minute as Julian Roxas slotted the ball into the bottom left corner to bring the Blue Eagles level with FEU at 1-1.
85'- GOAL. Roxas equalizes from close range!
Ateneo 1 FEU 1#UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/i6yHbays6T
— Jason R. Santos (@Jason_TheGUIDON) February 24, 2019
The Blue Eagles will face one of their fiercest competitors in their next match, taking on the defending champions, the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons at 9:00 AM on Sunday, March 3, at a location yet to be announced (TBA).
Ateneo Starting XI: Arcilla (GK); Grierson, Rocha, Roque; Liao, Mercado, Nacional, Herrera, Roxas (c); Setters, Gayoso
FEU Starting XI: Parac (GK); Bacara, Canonigo, Darapan, Forrosuelo, Frigillano, Kim, Pabualan, Rey, Saldivar, Salillig
Substitutions:
55’ – Alleje on for Nacional
76’ – Bana on for Setters
