The DLSU Men’s Football Team defeated the FEU Tamaraws, 2-1, earlier today at the McKinley Hill Stadium in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig. With the win, La Salle has earned a total of 10 points in four games this season.
Greggy Yang and Jed Diamante attempted to open the score line early on in the game but they fired way over the crossbar, leaving FEU goalkeeper Ray Joyel untested. Jose Montelibano broke free from his defenders at the 17th minute to receive a Gelo Diamante through ball only to be called offside. The defending champions had opportunities of their own to open the score line, only to hit the woodwork and have their cross into the six-yard box saved by La Salle goalkeeper Paeng De Guzman.
Yang had a free kick opportunity within scoring distance later on in the first half, only for his shot to go straight to Joyel, with Nace Gonzales’ goal attempt later on receiving the same fate.
The Tamaraws were called for a handball inside the penalty box in an attempt to deny a Yang shot on goal, and he converted his penalty kick at the 33’ mark to give La Salle a 1-0 lead. Montelibano looked to double the lead moments later from the right wing, only to fire wide of the near post.
FEU rookie Dave Deloso looked to tie the game prior to the halftime whistle, only for his header to go over the woodwork.
The Tamaraws evened up the score line in the early moments of the second half in what was a see-saw affair between the top two teams of Season 77. A Paolo Bugas free kick found Rico Andes, who in turn headed the ball to the bottom right corner past De Guzman. Yang looked to retake the lead for the Green-and-White with a free kick of his own at the edge of the box at the 53rd minute but fired over the the crossbar.
Eric Giganto of the Tamaraws immediately responded off a long ball only to fire just wide of the near post, while teammate Audie Menzie fired just over the woodwork from a corner kick moments after.
La Salle team captain Gelo Diamante had two opportunities to score at the 61’ mark but he was denied by Joyel and misfired over the crossbar afterwards. Montelibano had his finesse shot on target nine minutes later only to be denied by Joyel once again. Substitute Yoshi Koizumi was unmarked at the left flank but he misfired at the 76th minute. Jed Diamante came close to giving the lead back to the Green-and-White as Joyel spilled his cross but the FEU goalkeeper managed to recover.
Giganto broke fee from the La Salle defense afterwards, only for his chip to be denied by De Guzman for a corner. De Guzman came to the rescue again as he made a bottom corner save to deny the defending champions.
Substitute Rigo Joseph later on gave La Salle the 2-1 lead at the 82’ mark. Defender Nicko Villacin connected with Joseph with a long ball, as the latter headed the ball over FEU’s Joyel. Gonzales found Gelo Diamante unmarked on the weak side at the 87th minute minute only to be denied again by Joyel at the near post. De Guzman was forced to come up with a save in added time, to give La Salle the lead for good and seal the victory.
“We just wanted to avenge our finals loss. We’re a better team now, with a deeper bench, and more drive,” said Joseph on their victory. “I was just on the bench, making sure that I can make a difference as soon as I get in, do whatever I can for the team and as a team. Of course, to God be the glory!”
Up next for the DLSU Men’s Football Team are the UE Red Warriors, whom they will face on Sunday, February 28, at 4 pm in the McKinley Hill Stadium.
