The DLSU Men’s Football Team opened Season 81 with a defeat as they succumbed to the UST Growling Tigers, 3-1, earlier today at the FEU-Diliman Football Field. La Salle rookie John Lagura opened the scoring festivities at the 14th minute, but UST answered back with two goals in the first half, then added another one in the last 45 minutes.
La Salle head coach Hans Smit stated that the team’s errors gave the win for UST. “This was just the mental lapses of our defense, but you can see the game was 50-50. We also had the opportunities to score,” he said.
Thrilling half
A new-look DLSU squad faced the Growling Tigers in their first match of the new campaign as Smit opted to start with five rookies. Jed Diamante has been elevated as the team captain following the graduation of Noel Brago, while veteran midfielder Yoshiharu Koizumi has been converted as a defender.
The youthful front three of Shanden Vergara, Mikio Umilin, and Lagura led the attack for the Green-and-White, which immediately led to a goal. A perfectly played counter-attack cut open UST’s defense as Vergara burst through the right wing and provided the assist for Lagura, who tapped home the ball at the 14’ mark.
UST remained unfazed despite an early deficit as the España-based squad notched two goals before the first half ended. A header from Conrado Dimacali at the 16’ mark equalised the score, while Juan Villanueva’s strike 20 minutes later gave the Growling Tigers the lead heading into halftime.
Lackluster finish
A couple of substitutions were made by Smit to start the second half as Genaro De Vera and Frederico Alegre made way for two more rookies in Gerald Abao and Mohammad Almohjili, but the momentum remained with UST as the Lasallians struggled to find the back of the net.
The Growling Tigers continued to push on for a bigger lead as they used their set-pieces brilliantly. They almost scored with another header at the 62’ mark after La Salle goalkeeper Domycko Villacin went out of position, but defender Nathan Alcantara reacted quickly to clear the ball away from the goal.
UST eventually notched their third goal at the 69th minute as Glen Ramos’ well-taken shot deflated the young Green-and-White team.
When asked about how their first game went, team captain Diamante said, “Well at least everyone got a feel of how it is to play in the UAAP.” He added, “I think we played strong, but then we gave up some lapses and we will try to work on it in the next game.”
La Salle will look to bounce back in their second game of the season as they take on the Adamson University Soaring Falcons on Sunday, February 24, at 1pm in the same venue.
