A hungry NU Bulldogs team emerged victorious with the score of 4-0 over the UE Red Warriors last Thursday. It left a good taste for the Bulldogs in what has been a cagey match wherein they precariously led until the 18 minutes of the match. The win enabled NU to temporarily hold the top spot with the best goal difference in the division. Results, however, isn’t the only thing that matters to their coach Wilhelm Laranas.
“I think we need to improve more on the system we did ever since kasi hindi nila na-apply regularly,” the NU mentor commented. His concerns were particularly evident in the first 35 minutes of the match, a period when the Bulldogs were playing back-and-forth with UE. It was dangerous because the Red Warriors created two close chances before NU got on the scoresheet. The second of those two even came a minute before they actually broke through in the match. The said opportunity was from a long ball that put Elijah Aban vulnerable on defense. Thankfully for them, Mar Diano lacked composure and drifted it wide. Had that went in, it would definitely be a different story.
While the plan was not fully executed, Laranas still appreciates the result. Half of their goals came from counter attacks, which was a pleasant surprise for the NU coach. In addition to that, he felt that their opponents yielded the match after Paolo Salenga grabbed a second via a penalty 17 minutes before time. Like in the first goal, the Red Warriors had multiple chances to find the deadlock but lacked the instinct to finish off in the attacking third. Partially, the NU tactician credited their adjustment on the rearguard as a factor in preserving the advantage. “Nakita na kasi namin na nagloload sila. That’s why noong second half, instead of having two center backs, talagang hinohold na namin na tatlo ang maiiwan,” he shared.
The good thing for Laranas is that there are still plenty of games for his players to play according to the system they used last season. He firmly believes that with the talent the squad has this year, playing the way they did last year will take them to greater heights. Notable in NU’s opening game were the absences of some vital players from last year’s core such as Elgen Antipolo, Alberto Frias, and Hayeson Pepito. Coping with the losses, the Bulldogs mentor thinks that they are bolstered by a bunch of talented rookies. “Nawalan man kami ng magagaling na player, there are players who can fill sa position na ‘yun,” he insisted.
Ultimately, Laranas thinks that the players were merely jittery as they try to improve from last year’s impressive campaign. The task of winning the first game has been ticked, so Laranas and the Bulldogs are hoping to build on the positive result by playing to the way he thinks they would thrive in the most. They will have the opportunity to maintain a 100% record against Adamson tomorrow afternoon, with their coach aiming to see a more vibrant NU side.
