The DLSU Green Booters toughed it out for another #UAAPSeason85 win, this time avenging their opening day embarrassment against the UE Red Warriors with a victory, 2-1, in their second-round matchup.
Strikes from Mikio Umilin and Franck Anoh were enough to give the DLSU Men’s Football Team the win despite a penalty conversion by UE’s Edmar Adonis.
Hard-pressed opening
During the opening minutes of the game, both teams showed persistence as the top two seeds entering the match. UE’s Adonis made consecutive attempts to try to claim the first goal, confident that his team was undefeated and had overthrown La Salle before. However, the Red Warriors struggled to capitalize on any goals due to DLSU’s early compact defense, fortified by sterling goalkeeper Enrico Mangaoang who serially swooped in to prevent any goals from adding to UE’s part of the scoreboard. At the seventh minute, a DLSU free kick found Umilin, who missed the goal by a large spread. Come the 17’ mark, a clash took place between Sammy Capellan and Christian Peñalosa, which led to the former receiving a yellow card and the latter getting carried off the field.
As both teams looked to take command of the game, Anoh found himself in a footrace with the Red Warriors at the 22nd mark, where Adonis successfully took possession of the ball. Hoping to hand the lead to UE, Adonis made a wide instep shot but missed the post. Right after, things started to get busy for UE goalkeeper Lance Bencio. Paolo Go looked to make a goal happen for the Green and White, but Bencio was quick to make the save on the right. Following that stunt closely was Anoh’s close but unfortunate shot near the crossbar, with Bencio in the right position to receive the ball. Frustrated but driven, the UE goalkeeper was put in a sequence of trials as he prevented another swift goal, the third danger within less than five minutes. On the other side of the field, Mangaoang was equally occupied as he forced several saves, one of which came at the 38’ mark when a corner shot was nearly snuck in by Nikko Palacio.
With the first half expiring, the game remained scoreless. Regardless, the Green Booters erupted near the 45th mark, with Mohammad Almohjili starting the sequence as he passed the ball to Anoh. Bencio was eager to force a save, but to everyone’s surprise, Anoh handed it to Umilin, who fired the ball on the right flank. This rattling goal closed the first half with DLSU up, 1-0.
Vigorous execution
With the second half’s lead, DLSU came in even tougher. UE tried to press harder in hopes of equalizing the game as early as they could. Joshua Macaraig dashed in with a desperate attempt at the 46’ mark. Tragically, for the Red Warriors, La Salle’s Mangaoag was more fleet-footed. DLSU began to control possession of the ball as the team from Recto loosened up their defense in frustration. This gave Anoh a chance to surprise Bencio with a back-heel goal delivered at the center of the net in the 49th mark, strengthening the lead for the Taft-based squad at 2-0.
Seeing this lead as a threat to their pristine record, the Red Warriors responded with several substitutions. Not finding the impact they were looking for, UE managed to earn two penalties. After the first being saved by Mangaoang, Adonis managed to convert his spot kick at the 56th minute. Mangaoang was set at the right position but missed the ball slightly, ending the Red Warrior’s drought at 2-1.
The Red Warriors were pressured to assemble another goal against the Green Booter’s drive to protect their lead. However, possession was scarce for UE as La Salle cut off their play through a redefined level of control. At 83’, UE brought their frustration known as Jerome Abarca passed the ball to no man’s land. Two minutes later, Paolo Alovera clashed with Almohjili, which led to a small strife between the teams. This gave the Red Warriors their second yellow card under John Magallon.
Subsequently seeing several calls go against them, the Green and White consecutively received free kicks that they tried to make the most of. On the other hand, the Red Warriors had lost all their momentum and made every desperate effort to rebuild their tempo during the stoppage time granted to the game. Unable to pinch any equalizer, the team from Taft managed to hand UE their first defeat of the season, 2-1.
After this win, La Salle now sits at the top of the standings with 16 points. The DLSU Green Booters will have to wait before continuing their hot streak in the season, with their next match versus the UP Fighting Maroons scheduled to be played after the Holy Week break on April 13, Thursday, at the same venue.
