The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons maintained their impressive start to the UAAP Season 80 Men’s Football Tournament with a 2-0 victory over the National University Bulldogs, Thursday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
This is State U’s fourth win in four games, and they go top of the standings with 13 points. In stark contrast, this result was NU’s third defeat of the year and the Bulldogs go down to seventh place with four points.
“I thought we played a good first half. Second half we made a lot of lapses sa backline. At least Anton Yared was able to save a few attempts,” said UP coach Anto Gonzales after the match.
State U just needed five minutes to break the deadlock. Rookie Fidel Tacardon, who has been a standout this season for UP, finally scored the first goal of his UAAP career when he dribbled past the Bulldogs defense to give his team the early lead.
The first half, though, wasn’t smooth sailing for UP. Midfielder Ray Sanciangco had to be replaced by Raphael Resuma due to a knee injury. Nevertheless, the Fighting Maroons carried on and saw their lead double in the 23rd minute when Kintaro Miyagi’s header rebounded Julian Clarino’s initial attempt.
“We have to wait for the diagnosis but according to the PT’s and the medic, it’s definitely a kneecap dislocation,” explained Gonzales on Sanciango’s injury. “Let’s just hope for the best and wait for the results.”
UP maintained their control of the match in the next period. Clarino, who was unlucky not to score in the first half, forced a good save from Bulldogs goalkeeper Chris Perocho with a free kick early in the second frame.
No more goals arrived in the second half despite the Fighting Maroons’ relentless forays into the Bulldogs’ half. The Bulldogs had a chance to get a consolation goal near the end of the contest, but Fighting Maroons goalie Anton Yared was alert to deny Mike Arbela. In the end, UP settled for a 2-0 win against the outplayed NU.
NU will next play the Far Eastern University on February 25, 3:00 PM at the latter’s Diliman campus. On the other hand, State U shall face the De La Salle University on March 1, 9:00 AM at Rizal Memorial.
