Thirty-four minutes into his team’s match against Stallion FC, Green Archers United (GAU) FC Head Coach Rodolfo Alicante was thinking that another colossal defeat was on its way. Prior to that match, they fell on the wrong end of a 7-0 beating against Ceres-La Salle FC who effectively snapped their winning streak. Fortunately, Alicante’s boys struck back three times to earn a valuable point at full time.
The result, though not ultimately desirable, was welcomed by Alicante. The man at the helm suspected his players did not commit enough on defense in the early goings of the match. “First half kasi wala masyadong pressure ‘yung Stallion and then they scored three goals–all were headers. I think ‘yung positioning ‘yung mali ng players. They didn’t challenge,” he elaborated. Good wing play led to three goals coming from magnificent cross deliveries for Stallion.
Pleasantly, they pulled one back just before halftime with Robert Lopez Mendy converting a spot kick. Needing to change the game plan, Alicante recalibrated the team’s objective into the second half. “We adjusted. I told them to put pressure. Nag-change ‘yung momentum ng game,” the boss shared. Trailing 3-1 at the interval, GAU followed Alicante’s orders. As a result, they produced two marvellous goals which saw them level with Stallion. There could have been more goals, allowing them to seize victory. GAU hitman Lopez Mendy was not able to finish two great opportunities that could have completely overturned the game at Stallion’s expense.
Personally, Alicante remarked the huge impact of fatigue in the encounter. As much as Stallion’s tired players opened the doors for a GAU comeback, fatigue also affected the Archers who were aiming to snatch all the points. Recovery, hence, is key in GAU’s next game against Global FC. That will happen on July 25, Saturday, at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
