The DLSU Green Booters claimed their first victory this season against the Adamson Soaring Falcons, 3-0, Sunday, March 5, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch. Paolo Go, Mo Almohjili, and Christian Peñalosa each contributed a goal to help La Salle overcome their rocky start to the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Football tournament.
Winning the midfield battle
Coming off of consecutive defeats in their first two matches, the Green Booters were in need of a win to kickstart their UAAP Season 85 campaign. The Taft-based side quickly took advantage of their superior midfield from the first minute by putting emphasis on winning the ball in the middle of the pitch as well as in the Adamson half. The intensity and urgency led to the Soaring Falcons struggling to develop good build-up play in their midfield and failing to maintain possession. Additionally, the Adamson defense struggled to suppress the front three of Franck Anoh, Mikio Umilin, and Go. The persistence of the DLSU Men’s Football Team soon paid off in the 15th minute as Umilin took a strike toward the goal which deflected off an Adamson defender and fell into the path of Go, who calmly finished it off with a volley into the bottom corner to give DLSU a 1-0 lead.
The disparity in midfield was soon spotted by Adamson Head Coach Joplong Brillantes, who made an early substitution by bringing on Darlton Digha in the 21st minute to fill in the gaps. The change proved to be a great tactical move as the Soaring Falcons enjoyed a spell of chances in the subsequent minutes—forcing the Green Booters to make careless passes and mistakes in their own half. However, the Booters were always quick to get back in defense to cover chances created by Adamson.
The Ermita-based side was unable to capitalize on their chances, as the 30’ mark approached, DLSU made a quick tactical change on the field—switching wingers Go and Umilin to their opposite sides. Both wingers were then able to create good chances, while La Salle’s midfield continued to thrive.
Just before the stroke of halftime, Almohjili made his presence known after being brought down in the penalty box and coolly converting his spot kick into the bottom corner at the 43rd minute to extend the DLSU lead, 2-0. Shortly after, he threaded a great through pass to Umilin who had a chance to extend the lead even further, but Adamson goalkeeper Zecheus Suarez made an incredible save to deny La Salle their third goal.
Sealing the deal
Despite being up 2-nil, the Green Booters were not complacent with their lead. Adamson created a couple of opportunities early in the second half but were unsuccessful against the defense in Green and White. Both sides were aggressive in their attacks, with DLSU’s Umilin showing pristine offensive work to get into the attacking position. The Soaring Falcons, on the other hand, were quick to retaliate with counterattacks, only to be stopped in their tracks by clogged passing lanes and physical defending. The high press from Anoh, accompanied by quick and pesky wings on the flank, discouraged any forward passes to the Soaring Falcons’ attack.
It was in the 58th minute when the DLSU Men’s Football Team was in prime position for attacking in Adamson’s half and Peñalosa was fouled—halting the run for La Salle. The booking was then followed by a failed attempt in the box, but the Green and White stayed aggressive. Unfazed, Peñalosa got through on goal, striking the ball into the lower right corner following a deft assist from Almohjili at the 60’ mark.
The team from Ermita attempted to rally together in a last-ditch effort to overcome the 3-0 deficit. Their attack would fall short, as even in the 67th minute, the white jerseys of DLSU continued to press on and play high. It was a scare for DLSU Head Coach Alvin Ocampo’s back four in the 69th minute when AdU’s Lorent Jayaoan nearly beat La Salle’s Enrico Mangaoang at the goal, but luckily, the defenders were there to deter the shot attempt.
Fortunately for the leading Green and White, this was only a scare and no goals were conceded for the remainder of the match. DLSU won their first match of the season in a commanding offensive and defensive effort to improve their win-loss record to 1-2.
The Green Booters lace up against UST Growling Tigers at 6 pm on March 12, Sunday, at the UP Diliman Football Pitch, aiming for another victory to get their UAAP Season 85 campaign on track.
