THE ATENEO Blue Eagles extend their victorious stretch after quelling the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws, 2-1. The match took place earlier today at the University of the Philippines Diliman Football Pitch.
This win puts the Blue Eagles at the top of the standings with a 3-0-0 win-draw-loss record in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 Men’s Football tournament.
The Blue and White got off to a slow start as the Tamarraws dominated possession in the early proceedings of the match. The Morayta-based squad capitalized on the Blue Eagles’ unstable passing and ran their incursions via rapid counter-attacks. Veteran keeper Artuz Cezar kept the Blue Eagles afloat with timely deflections and saves in the game’s first 15 minutes.
In the 24th minute, Matti Roxas ignited an offensive onslaught as he whipped an effort within close range, but ultimately misfired. Ryen Lim and Dov Cariño followed suit moments later with emphatic efforts of their own but no threat materialized as their shots went over the crossbar.
While Roxas, Lim, and Cariño led the charge up front, the Ateneo backline held their ground against any lingering Tamaraw danger. The Blue Eagle defenders neutralized the opposing frontline’s swift maneuvers and high probing to keep the game leveled at 0-0.
The dying moments of the opening 45 saw multiple opportunities for the Blue Eagles to score the breakthrough. In the 41st minute, Jet Dela Cruz fired a willful strike within FEU’s box but failed to convert as his shot hit the woodwork.
With the Katipunan-based squad looming in the attacking third, the Tamaraws spurred a quick counter-attack which caught the Ateneans off-guard. A frenetic FEU run on the right flank ended with a Khent Valenzuela goal in the 42nd minute to draw first blood, 1-0, taking the lead at the end of the first half.
The Blue and White sought to regroup in the second half by intensifying their defensive blueprint. While the Tamaraws relentlessly attacked the offensive zone, the Blue Eagles were quick to shut down their efforts with strategic positioning.
Gearing up with a renewed sense of momentum on the pitch, Ateneo mounted swift counter-attacks to create enough room to breathe. Aided by the much-needed maneuvers of Ateneo forward Cariño, the Katipunan-based squad found the net to level the score at the 53rd minute, 1-1.
Both teams then engaged in back-and-forth shuffles in hopes of a second-chance goal. Squaring up for the net in the 81st minute, Galen Fernandez secured the Blue and White’s second goal to take the lead, 2-1.
The match then became heated between both squads that had opposing benches confront the referees, resulting in yellow cards on both sides. Despite the scuffle, the Blue Eagles managed to hold on in the nine minutes of stoppage time. Holding off FEU’s drawn out shuffles from pillar to post, the Blue and White proved quick in braving through their adversaries to secure the 2-1 victory.
Ateneo midfielder Fernandez shared his thoughts on rallying the team considering the squad’s one and a half year drought against the Tamaraws. “Going into this game against FEU, we knew it was going to be tough given our history against them in the past. […] We knew that we had to fight hard throughout the whole 90 minutes,” Fernandez shared.
The Blue Eagles will look to continue their winning ways against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons at 6:30 PM, Thursday, October 10 at the same venue.
Starting XI:
Ateneo (2): Maquiling (C), Arias, Bengson, Cariño, Cezar (GK), Collo, Dela Cruz, Escobin, Lim, Roxas, Santillices
FEU (1): Baylon (C), Aban, Absalon, Hulagno, Arriola, Bacon, Mamon, Valenzuela, Mustapa, Diansuy (GK), Gatungay
Standings – Points (Goal Difference):
- ATENEO Blue Eagles – 9 (+6)
- FEU Tamaraws – 6 (+6)
- DLSU Green Booters – 4 (-2)
- UE Red Warriors – 4 (-3)
- UP Fighting Maroons – 3 (+2)
- UST Golden Booters – 3 (-1)
- AdU Soaring Falcons – 0 (-8)
