THE ATENEO Blue Eagles escaped with a draw against the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 1-1, last night, March 5 at the University of the Philippines (UP) Football Stadium. Marco Salud’s second-half goal put the Ateneo Men’s Football Team (AMFT) on level terms with UE who scored an early goal in the first half. The Blue Eagles are now tied with the University of Santo Tomas for fourth place as they stand with one win, one loss, and one draw apiece in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 Men’s Football Tournament..
The Red Warriors struck first with an early goal at the 7th minute courtesy of Eldrin Madrid. The kick caught the Blue Eagles off guard as Madrid was able to float the ball high past Artuz Cezar’s fingertips.
[First Half]
— Vito Martin (@Vito_TheGUIDON) March 5, 2023
7‘ – UE’s Madrid gets the first goal of the game!
Ateneo: 0 UE: 1@TheGUIDONSports #UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/OtpgXqpQlp
UE stayed relentless looking for another goal but solid defending by center back Salud deterred the Red Warriors’ attacks. The AMFT looked to even the score with dangerous counterattacks as Leo Maquiling broke away for an attempt at the 26th minute however, it was met by the hands of UE’s goalkeeper, Lance Bencio.
[First Half]
— Vito Martin (@Vito_TheGUIDON) March 5, 2023
26‘ – Ateneo nearly stuns UE with the counterattack, but UE’s goalkeeper saves it at the end!
Ateneo: 0 UE: 1@TheGUIDONSports #UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/qNGPt2B9V6
The league leaders formulated another clear chance on goal at the 33rd minute but Cezar was prepared this time around, saving the ball from going in. The score remained 0-1 after 35 minutes.
[First Half]
— Vito Martin (@Vito_TheGUIDON) March 5, 2023
33‘ – Cezar gets the huge save!
Ateneo: 0 UE: 1@TheGUIDONSports #UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/JKQWfTcTti
Just before halftime, Ateneo had multiple chances to draw level in the first 36th and 44th minute after a gorgeous set piece by Maquiling and a determined run by Dov Cariño made UE’s defense work to keep their lead. The Blue Eagles trailed 0-1 at the half.
[First Half]
— Vito Martin (@Vito_TheGUIDON) March 5, 2023
36‘ – Maquiling’s free kick is stopped by a header!
Ateneo: 0 UE: 1@TheGUIDONSports #UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/R2Xb18jO6g
[First Half]
— Vito Martin (@Vito_TheGUIDON) March 5, 2023
44‘ – Cariño struggles to find an opening in the UE defense.
Ateneo: 0 UE: 1@TheGUIDONSports #UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/uwTak3favz
The final 45 minutes would be an exciting stretch for both teams as Ateneo started off the second half with Maquiling’s free kick that nearly got past the Red Warriors’ goalkeeper. The 55th minute saw the AMFT finally break through as another stunning free kick delivery by Maquiling found Salud inside the box as he headed the ball into the back of UE’s net. Ateneo drew level 1-1.
[Second Half]
— Vito Martin (@Vito_TheGUIDON) March 5, 2023
55‘ – GOAL! Ateneo answers Maquiling’s free kick with a header to tie the game.
Ateneo: 1 UE: 1@TheGUIDONSports #UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/LcAqE4hshJ
The Blue Eagles gained confidence from the goal as a dangerous pass from Maquiling in the 63rd minute jump-started the Ateneo offense for another header that barely missed the goal.
[Second Half]
— Vito Martin (@Vito_TheGUIDON) March 5, 2023
63‘ – Ateneo gets another opportunity to take the lead with a header that just misses the mark.
Ateneo: 1 UE: 1@TheGUIDONSports #UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/ZNe13EeFg2
Things started to get chippy between the two teams at the 68th minute as players from UE and Ateneo needed to be separated resulting in yellow cards for Blue Eagle Jet Dela Cruz and two other UE players.
Coach JP Merida brought in striker Kofi Agyei in the 81st minute to bolster Ateneo’s attacking play which already included stellar performances by both Maquiling and rookie Cariño. The Blue Eagle defense was once again tested at the 83rd minute as Salud’s last-minute stab at the ball was just enough to keep UE scoreless in the second half.
[Second Half]
— Vito Martin (@Vito_TheGUIDON) March 5, 2023
83’ – Salud stops the UE attack!
Ateneo: 1 UE: 1@TheGUIDONSports #UAAPFootball pic.twitter.com/DqLFEQd0pr
Ateneo’s last chance at goal came during added time of the 90th minute as a smart through ball found Agyei with a great chance to win the game but UE’s goalkeeper saved the attempt to seal the stalemate for the match. The match ended with the score still even 1-1.
During the post-game interview, the lone scorer Salud praised his veteran teammates for not giving up after the early conceded goal. “Even after conceding, they kept their spirits high and we fought for the rest of the game. We were lucky enough to get one [goal] back,” said the young Atenean center back.
Ateneo’s next game will be on Sunday, March 12 against the winless Adamson Soaring Falcons. Kick-off is at 4:00 PM still at the UP Football Stadium.
