By Vince Matthew Jaramilla

As they continue to vie for a Final Four spot, Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw Booters head coach Roman Oliver did not mince words when expressing his disappointment over their scoreless draw against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Booters, 0-0, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 men's football tournament earlier today, November 14, at the University of the Philippines Diliman Football Pitch in Quezon City.

"Well, it's not a good result. We needed three points to push Ateneo… We're not happy about that. It was a [difficult, tough, and physical] game. We ha[d] our chances but we miss[ed them]. When we miss, we don't win," he said in a post-game interview with FEU Advocate.

The green-and-gold squad gradually ramped up their offense in the first 10 minutes of the game as both sides faced immediate physicality.

Still, FEU dictated the pace of the match, producing nine total shots in the first half. Unfortunately, none of their strikes went through.

At the 26-minute mark, Tamaraw Booter Theo Libarnes got the best look of the half as he established position within the Golden Booters' goal area, but it was to no avail.

The Morayta-based booters' final tries off two corner kicks in the extension were also not enough to score, going into the break still at nil-nil.

In the second half, UST also changed gears, matching FEU's aggression and keeping the ball going back-and-forth. As a result, the two schools already traded corner kicks within the first five minutes.

However, both squads still could not find the back of their opponents' goals despite the upped intensity.

Trying to find different results, Coach Roman subbed in Xymon Bulawin, RJ Pescadera, and Marc Celis for Gerald Estores, Leoven Gatungay, and RJ Buenafe in the 58th minute. Rico Braga and Mc Jay Neniel also replaced Selwyn Mamon and Khent Valenzuela at the 72-minute mark.

Morayta's newly subbed-in Braga managed to find a keeper-less UST goal in the 86th minute, but the España-based defenders remained impenetrable.

Mirroring the first half, the green-and-gold squad was granted final chances to score with two corner kicks in the extension, but the match ultimately ended in a scoreless draw.

Despite another match with no conceded goals, Tam coach Oliver pointed out their need to win the remaining elimination games.

"Third matches in the second leg, three clean sheets, that's a good point. But right now, I'm just thinking we didn't win the match. We make a lot of miss[es] in front of the goal. End of the season is coming… In the big matches, if you miss like this, you have a problem. This is something we need to improve," the lead tactician stated.

The Oliver-led squad will attempt to correct their course against the top-seeded Ateneo de Manila University next Thursday, November 21, at the same venue.

(Photo courtesy of the UAAP Media Team)