The DLSU Green Booters garnered their third win of the season with a score of 2-1 at the expense of the NU Bulldogs earlier today at the FEU-Diliman Football Field. With the victory, La Salle remains to be the only undefeated team in the league, sitting at solo third place in the standings behind UP and FEU.
The Green Booters scored both of their goals during the first half while NU scored their only goal via a penalty kick at the fourth minute of added time.
Defense turned to offense
NU had more possessions during the first half because of DLSU’s early offensive struggles. However, the Green Booters made up for it with an aggressive defensive play, thus denying the Bulldogs of any decent attempt at the goal. The Taft-based squad captured their first goal at the 17th minute courtesy of a Gerald Layumas’ header off a perfectly-placed pass by Nathan Alquiros after a corner kick.
DLSU found the back of the net once again at the 31st minute after Chuck Uy guided the ball to the goal from an assist by Layumas. The goal came only a minute after Uy was fielded in by Coach Hans Smit. The rest of the half was a nightmare for the Bulldogs as La Salle’s persistent defense made it hard for them to keep possessions and to also find their wing players around the box. NU’s frustrations were building up, leading to a yellow card given to Elgen Antiplolo for excess contact on a challenge just before the halftime buzzer.
Controversial conclusion
The Green Booters were more confident coming into the second half and went straight to business. The Bulldogs, on the other hand, had decent mid-range attempts, but the direction of their kicks were comfortably deflected by DLSU goalkeeper Raphael De Guzman. NU was visibly struggling and almost committed an own goal at the 52nd minute after a back pass from an NU defender was missed by the goalkeeper.
Elgen Antipolo of the Bulldogs exited the game early after committing his second foul that resulted to a yellow card. He will also be prohibited to play in their next game as per UAAP policy.
The match went controversial during the added time after a penalty kick was awarded to NU from a foul called inside the box. Green Booter Ramon Bonoan was tagged for the foul after contesting Paolo Salenga who appeared to have dived to simulate the contact. The penalty kick was then repeated two times because of player interference during the kick from both teams. The Bulldogs scored after the third try as the final whistle sounded moments after.
Coach Smit was contented with the performance of his players considering that the Green Booters went on a heated battle against the Ateneo De Manila Blue Booters just three days prior. Smit, however, showed his dismay about the poor officiating during DLSU’s past games.
“We look for the extra passes all the time. You cannot be “swapang” on the ball, but still we lacked [on our] finishing. In the second half, it was already a different ball game. I don’t know why, but I think naubusan sila ng onti against Ateneo so bawi nalang for the next game,” said Smit.
The Green Booters now have three wins and three draws under their belts. They will cap-off the first round of UAAP season 77 and will try to stay undefeated against the UST Growling Tigers whom they will face on January 7 at the FEU-Diliman Football Field.
