The Curtain Falls
Ateneo 0 vs. FEU 3
by rick olivares
Ateneo 0 vs. FEU 3
by rick olivares
February 2, 2009
Erenchun Field
The first goal was symptomatic of a season gone awry. A volley that was careening wide yet still in the box. Defender Alvin Perez racing to track it down because the dangerous Jovanie Simpron was lurking in the vicinity. Then Ateneo goalkeeper Joel Faustino catching the ball then colliding with Perez. The ball popping free. Simpron snaring the loose ball and blasting it to the right side even if Derrick Candelaria had covered the empty net.
Another goal off a mistake then bang. 1-nil FEU and only in the 9th minute.
There was no reaction from the Ateneo bench. Not a peep but blank and forlorn stares. The air had finally got out.
The season that began with so much promise and anticipation was officially over. From here on in the second round, they play for pride and to salvage a hitherto fearsome rep on the pitch.
If the defending champs had played subpar football (many of them were allegedly forced to play out their final year and defend the championship) thinking they could turn on the jets anytime they wanted they have paid for it. And last season’s two finalists found themselves struggling for a win and out of football purgatory.
The sublime short game of the Tamaraws picked apart the Ateneo team. With the Blue Booters once more unable to get passed midfield, the onus was more on the side of the Ateneo defense which has been spotty for the most part. For the whole first half, the Blue Booters were reduced to a squad that was busy fending off attacks and clearing the ball.
That kind of game after a spell can work either way – a quick counter attack or another mistake by the defense. Given the way the season has played out so far a betting man would have bet the house on the latter.
A wayward cross by FEU was heading out of bounds but freshman defender Paul Cheng tracked it down just as it was skirting outside (that would have given possession to Ateneo). But he put it back in play and weak square pass found its way to Kristian Macaspac who dribbled a little closer, blew by a flat-footed defender then fired a bullet so fast that Faustino didn’t even react to it.
2-nil FEU at the 20th minute.
After the goal, it was as if FEU was the team that was down as they hollered for their side to keep up the pressure. And sure enough, three minutes later, Frank Gustilo’s vicious strike from 40-feet out pierced through the defense hit the side bar and ricocheted in.
3-nil FEU.
At the half, there were no more words of anger or exhortations to dig in. Before the battered, beaten and bruised Ateneo team trooped back to the pitch, the offense and defense held separate huddles to discuss strategy.
And for the first time since the opening match of the season, Ateneo found its groove on the offensive end as they put FEU back on their heels.
Except like their defensive follies, their sorties were just as symptomatic of the season -- they still couldn’t buy a goal.
Gino Tongson and Gerard Cancio had a couple of impressive runs but couldn’t finish.
When the whistle was blown for full time, the curtain had come down early on the Ateneo Men’s Football season.
Ateneo 4 (2)
FEU 11 (5)
Corners
Ateneo 2
FEU 3
Fouls
Ateneo 6
FEU 5
Saves
Ateneo 5
FEU 3
Erenchun Field
The first goal was symptomatic of a season gone awry. A volley that was careening wide yet still in the box. Defender Alvin Perez racing to track it down because the dangerous Jovanie Simpron was lurking in the vicinity. Then Ateneo goalkeeper Joel Faustino catching the ball then colliding with Perez. The ball popping free. Simpron snaring the loose ball and blasting it to the right side even if Derrick Candelaria had covered the empty net.
Another goal off a mistake then bang. 1-nil FEU and only in the 9th minute.
There was no reaction from the Ateneo bench. Not a peep but blank and forlorn stares. The air had finally got out.
The season that began with so much promise and anticipation was officially over. From here on in the second round, they play for pride and to salvage a hitherto fearsome rep on the pitch.
If the defending champs had played subpar football (many of them were allegedly forced to play out their final year and defend the championship) thinking they could turn on the jets anytime they wanted they have paid for it. And last season’s two finalists found themselves struggling for a win and out of football purgatory.
The sublime short game of the Tamaraws picked apart the Ateneo team. With the Blue Booters once more unable to get passed midfield, the onus was more on the side of the Ateneo defense which has been spotty for the most part. For the whole first half, the Blue Booters were reduced to a squad that was busy fending off attacks and clearing the ball.
That kind of game after a spell can work either way – a quick counter attack or another mistake by the defense. Given the way the season has played out so far a betting man would have bet the house on the latter.
A wayward cross by FEU was heading out of bounds but freshman defender Paul Cheng tracked it down just as it was skirting outside (that would have given possession to Ateneo). But he put it back in play and weak square pass found its way to Kristian Macaspac who dribbled a little closer, blew by a flat-footed defender then fired a bullet so fast that Faustino didn’t even react to it.
2-nil FEU at the 20th minute.
After the goal, it was as if FEU was the team that was down as they hollered for their side to keep up the pressure. And sure enough, three minutes later, Frank Gustilo’s vicious strike from 40-feet out pierced through the defense hit the side bar and ricocheted in.
3-nil FEU.
At the half, there were no more words of anger or exhortations to dig in. Before the battered, beaten and bruised Ateneo team trooped back to the pitch, the offense and defense held separate huddles to discuss strategy.
And for the first time since the opening match of the season, Ateneo found its groove on the offensive end as they put FEU back on their heels.
Except like their defensive follies, their sorties were just as symptomatic of the season -- they still couldn’t buy a goal.
Gino Tongson and Gerard Cancio had a couple of impressive runs but couldn’t finish.
When the whistle was blown for full time, the curtain had come down early on the Ateneo Men’s Football season.
Match Statistics
Shots on goalAteneo 4 (2)
FEU 11 (5)
Corners
Ateneo 2
FEU 3
Fouls
Ateneo 6
FEU 5
Saves
Ateneo 5
FEU 3
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