Far Eastern University (FEU) and Chelsea FC Soccer School Philippines overwhelmed University of the Philippines (UP)-Y and Lady Tamaraws FC, respectively, to end Day 4 of the 2015 PFF Women’s Invitational Cup, Sunday afternoon at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
FEU routs UP-Y for second win
Three early goals in the first half and another in the second powered FEU past UP-Y in the first match of the afternoon.
The Morayta-based squad pounced on the scrappy Lady Maroons defense early in the match and was rewarded with a corner kick that led to a goal at the seventh minute. Team captain Alesa Dolino perfectly timed her header to direct the ball into the back of the net. FEU continued to roll on offense and repeatedly attacked the Maroons backline. Two more goals were scored by the home side to punctuate the onslaught. At the 20th minute, Jovelle Sudaria found herself open on the left flank and slotted the ball past Javier to double the lead. The forward then doubled her output just merely seconds after, when she converted a mistimed clearance from the midfield.
Spearheaded by Cristina Delos Reyes and Alyssa Ube, UP-Y tried to set up an attack with the few opportunities. Their attempts at goal from the left flank, however, were easily stifled by the opposing defense. FEU ended the first half ahead 3-0.
At the start of the second half, the Lady Maroons were finally able to move the ball in their attacking third. Martha Dagdag stepped up to take a free kick at the 54th minute, but her shot went straight to the FEU custodian.
Despite the scoreline, FEU tried to pad their lead. Several attempts from Barbie Sobredo, Dolino, and Ina Araneta just lacked the creativity to add more to the tally. Finally, after a great defensive play at the back, the yellow-shirts found Araneta with room to operate on the top of the box. The veteran wasted no time to guide the ball into the onion bag and put the exclamation point on the comprehensive 4-0 win.
Chelsea SS outguns Lady Tamaraws for maiden victory
Chelsea SS finally registered their first victory of the Cup after upending Lady Tamaraws, 3-1, and capped off an exciting lineup to the day’s matches.
The blue-shirts started like a team on a mission as they tried to breach the Lady Tams backline with enterprising through passes into their attacking third. At the 17th minute, Karen Ladero found her sister Loreta in the middle for a shot that forced the opposing keeper Sheramae Ramos to clear. Loreta Ladero then passed to Joma Clemente in a following play. Clemente just ran out of space to get the ball into the box.
Chelsea SS was finally rewarded with a goal at the 28th minute. Lady Tamaraws’ Lou Amita was called on a hand ball inside the box. In the ensuing penalty kick, Mara Sabanal blasted the ball into the back of the net for the go-ahead goal.
Both teams figured in a tussle of lovely through balls and crosses, but none could break their opponent’s final third until the 42nd minute. Clemente weaved past the defense and shot straight to the mitts of Ramos. Right before halftime, the Lady Tamaraws were called for a foul. Clemente sent the ball into the box and connected with Sheen Ramores for their team’s second goal.
It was a similar complexion in the second half with both teams looking to get another goal. At the 52nd minute, the green-shirts had a golden opportunity to cut the deficit. Monica Trebol was left unmarked at the top of the box, but her attempt sailed over the bar. Trebol, Charmaine Fagaragan, and Raniel Zarate repeatedly tried but failed to score at the early goings of the period.
At the 70th minute, Chelsea padded on the lead with their third goal of the match. Ramores saw a gap in the defense and guided the ball into the back of the net to register her brace.
With urgency, the Lady Tamaraws worked on to get a goal and finally broke the Chelsea defense three minutes after Ramores’ brace. Zhyrelle Belluga received a pass on the right flank and fired the ball from the top of the box to put her squad on the board.
Belluga’s goal proved to be the last of the match as both defense held until the final whistle. Chelsea SS celebrated their first win of the Cup, 3-1, over the Lady Tamaraws FC.
