The Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws started their UAAP Season 78 Women’s Football Tournament campaign in the worst way possible when they lost 0-3 to the De La Salle University Lady Archers. They conceded two goals in the first half and were lucky that La Salle only scored one in the second half. It was a poor performance from the team, and the players were relieved when the full time whistle blew.
FEU coach Let Dimzon admitted that her team had been second best to La Salle “This is the first time we lost against La Salle na ganun kalaki yung goals, scores. And then sa quality kasi yung players ngayon sa amin, kasi since ang La Salle naka first game na sila in the same time, so kami nag-aadjust pa.”
“Pero yung nagkulang ngayon is yung passing. Nawala yung play which is yung pinakaimportante sa amin eh”, lamented Dimzon.
Dimzon disclosed that one mitigating factor for why the Lady Tamarws lost is that seven of her starting eleven from Season 77 are now gone for different reasons. “Apat ang mga grumadweyt and then yung tatlo are dahil sa subjects: fail and under units. Yun nga nasira yung gitna namin dahil yung tatlo na hindi nakalaro ay nasa position ng central defender, central midfield and goalkeeper.”
With those seven players gone, Dimzon implied that her team is in a transitional phase common at the collegiate level. She pointed out that a lot of her players are still inexperienced in terms of skills and how they read the game. “Yung experience nila sa game ay di pa masyado ano although meron kaming international exposure na pero hindi pa ganun kataas experience nila with regarding sa mga ganitong kataas na tournament.”
Dimzon felt that the Lady Tamaraws had failed to successfully implement their offensive system. Dimzon explained, “Actually ayun nga eh kasi nawala yung play. Yung play namin is from midfield to striker to eliminate yung offside. Yung nangyari is more of the ball is coming from backline which is yung nagiging problem so siguro yung adjustment namin dahil from last year nga malakas sa amin yung attacking so both nawala yung attacking and defending.”In line with FEU’s attack, she added that her strikers had to adjust this season.
It was back to the drawing board for Dimzon after the match, and she wanted the result to be a wake-up call for her Lady Tamaraws. “Experience nila ngayon. Kailangan nila ma tune-in ulit na kailangan hindi na tayo magrerelax kasi siguro sa experience nila na three consecutive championships, baka relax na eh. Ayun siguro para at least opener sa kanila yun na hindi tayo same as last year.”
In the end, Dimzon emphasized that FEU had to reinstate themselves offensively to win and carry on this season. “Maibalik namin yung play namin kasi yung pinakastrong side ng FEU is yung play sa harapan eh so yan yung nawala sa amin. Siguro focus kami more on that play.”
Seven players may have left the squad for different reasons but that shouldn’t discount the Lady Tamaraws as championship contenders, especially with the architect of their three straight championships at the helm. Count on them to become contenders once again when their offensive play clicks.
