La Salle gives up another late goal for a draw with FEU

La Salle gives up another late goal for a draw with FEU

by rick olivares

January 22, 2012

Ateneo High School Field

Don Rabaya’s eyes grew wide like a kid who has just spotted a toy store. Only the fourth year La Salle forward found himself bearing down the FEU goal from the left wing with only goalkeeper Ronnie Aguisanda to beat. To the center and the right of the goal were a pair of teammates who were unmarked. Instead of crossing the ball for what would have been a sure goal, Rabaya blasted a shot that Aguisanda collared.

Rabaya sunk to the ground and bowed down. He was all too aware of his gaffe. Although minutes later, he would score a goal that would put the green and white ahead of the Tamaraws 1-nil, he hoped that blunder wouldn’t cost La Salle the game.

Unfortunately, in a moment that was eerily similar to La Salle’s draw against UST last week when Ojay Clarino scored a late equalizer while unmarked from the outside, FEU drew level in the same manner when midfielder Alan Domekyas collected a blocked shot from some 25 yards out and volleyed straight and true.

This time it was the entire Green Archers team that saw their spirits sag.

The Green Archers are feeling the heat from being favorites to win their first UAAP Men’s Football Crown since 1998. After winning the University Games last October in Roxas City, the Taft-based squad is considered a favorite to take the crown from the University of the Philippines. After three matches, they only have three points to show for their troubles. However, they remain in contention as UP was not able to pull out a win against a UE side that has yet to score in this competition. The Fighting Maroons draw allowed UST to seize the lead after three matches.

While La Salle showed plenty of promise in the wings and from the middle, the decision making in the final attack just wasn’t there.

The young Tamaraws suffered from the same problem (although unknown to most the team was playing with many feeling ill over the temperature changes). FEU can sure string up many a pretty pass but midfielder Saekyoul Lee does not have like-minded teammates who survey their options before advancing the ball. Even worse, during the first half, the Tamaraws kept forcing their attack on the right side when they were constantly repelled. Head coach Kim Chul So on many occasions would call for his team to shift the attack to La Salle’s more vulnerable right side (which is where Domekyas scored).

While La Salle vigorously protested (with lots of expletives thrown in) a pair of offside calls, they only have themselves to blame for not winning the match. By the 70^th minute, it was obvious that FEU was tired. With several players in sickbay, they were few substitutes while the Green Archers liberally made use of their bench in the second half. They had clear chances to score as they had on five different occasions thrown in three attackers to the lone two defenders of FEU. Even the multi-purpose captain Ronnie Aguisanda at goal for the first time this season (for the inexperienced Jestoni Celeste) committed several gaffes that nearly led to several La Salle goals.

“We have all these chances and we keep wasting them!” bellowed a displeased Hans Smit. “Before you know it, they’re gone (add choice expletive here).”

Next week, they play Ateneo in a match that could decide how far they will go in this tournament.