Kofi Agyei scored twice as Ateneo de Manila University crushed Adamson University, 4–0, to climb to solo second in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament, Sunday at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
The Ghanaian forward opened the scoring in the 41st minute, calmly slotting home a precise delivery from Dov Carino after Adamson goalkeeper Christian Lauron ventured outside the box just before halftime.
Agyei then completed his brace in the 60th minute, marking his seventh goal of the season and solidifying his status as a frontrunner in the race for the Golden Boot.
Ateneo had taken the lead early in the 10th minute when Christian Santilices headed in a free kick from Carino.
Carino himself extended the Blue Eagles’ advantage in the 58th minute, giving Ateneo a comfortable three-goal cushion before Agyei’s second strike.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“We started with a good tempo,” said coach JP Merida. “I think that’s the reason why we scored early from the set piece. I told the important people just to work hard.”
The victory lifted Ateneo to second place in the standings with 11 points, tying University of Santo Tomas — which earlier defeated De La Salle University, 1–0 — and defending champion Far Eastern University.
The Blue Eagles also temporarily leapfrogged the Tamaraws and Golden Booters in the standings thanks to a superior goal difference of +6, compared to +5 for UST and +2 for FEU.
FEU and University of the East were still facing off as of publishing.
Ateneo will aim to maintain its momentum and avenge its first-round loss when it faces top-ranked University of the Philippines on November 5 at 4:00 PM at the UP Diliman Football Stadium.
“I’m very happy with my team, because they were very disciplined in all moments, so I think that’s a big thing coming from this game. It’s also a big motivation for us going to the next game against UP,” said Merida.
Adamson, meanwhile, had a chance to reduce the deficit in the 74th minute, but Jon Lagahit’s effort went just over the top post.
It was a familiar story from their first-round encounter last September 21, which the Blue Eagles also won, 3–0, as the Soaring Falcons struggled to create clear opportunities.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Just before the final whistle, Jhon Coquilla came close to scoring a consolation goal but failed to find the back of the net.
The Soaring Falcons remain in sixth place with four points and a –10 goal difference.
They will seek their second win of the season when they face defending champion FEU this Thursday at 6:30 PM, once again at the UP pitch.
