By Aine Peralta
Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraw Booters dismantled the league newcomers National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, 5-0, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 women's football opening game earlier today, September 23, at the University of the Philippines Diliman Football Pitch in Quezon City.
The green-and-gold team made short work of the debuting Lady Bulldogs squad, which fielded a lean 14-woman lineup for its maiden collegiate season.
FEU broke the deadlock in the 25th minute through a set-piece execution, as midfielder Marienell Cristobal delivered a corner kick into the box for Althea Rebosura, to power a header into the back of the net, 1-0.
In the 51st minute, the Let Dimzon-led squad replicated the sequence as Cristobal whipped in another corner kick to set up defender Kristine Dela Peña for another sharp nod, doubling the lead, 2-0.
FEU's bench depth began to wear down NU's short-handed roster, with second-half substitute and rookie Angelie Tolosa scoring off the bench in the 66th minute to push the advantage, 3-0.
Maintaining total offensive control, the Morayta-based squad extended the lead in the 81st minute after winger and midfielder Julia Sacmar pounced on a rebound off the post, 4-0.
Capping off the game, Tamaraw defender Knazeya Abellar scored in the 89th minute to complete the five-goal shutout victory.
In an interview with FEU Advocate, green-and-gold midfielder Rebosura shared that while they expected to dominate given their experience, their coaching staff reminded them not to be complacent.
"So siyempre, ini-expect namin na mas may experience kami, so ini-expect ng team na ma-do-dominate namin 'yung NU. Pero hindi kami 'yung magiging kampante — na laging sinasabi ng coach namin na every game, ibigay namin 'yung best namin. Hindi porket bago lang sila, natalo na namin sa PFF o sa other stints namin, hindi namin kailangan maging kampante pagdating sa ganun. Kailangan namin mag-step up at i-secure kung ano 'yung kailangan namin i-secure (Of course, we expected to have more experience, so the team expected that we would dominate NU. But we won't get complacent — our coach always tells us to give our best every game. Just because they're new, or because we've defeated them in the PFF or other stints before, doesn't mean we should be complacent. We need to step up and secure what we need to secure)," she said.
Rebosura also noted that the team still needs to work on starting matches stronger while guiding their younger teammates.
"Dahil wala sila Ate Sarah [Tulabing], as a senior, kailangan namin mag-guide at mag-step up para sa rookies, at malaman nila kung ano talaga 'yung game namin as a team (Since Ate Sarah and the other seniors aren't around anymore, as seniors, we need to step up and guide the rookies so they can learn what our game is really all about as a team)," she added.
Furthermore, FEU head coach Dimzon emphasized the importance of giving exposure to their new players and second-stringers to build their composure for tougher matchups ahead.
"Kasi this is new to them — they don't play 11… That's why 'yung naging preparation namin towards the start of the UAAP is good, and because they were given a chance to play, so now, nako-contribute and nata-transfer nila what they learned to the game. So maybe, once they play against the strong teams, we wanted them to see the composure and confidence that they can do the same thing they do," she expressed.
The Morayta-based squad looks to build on this statement win as they face University of the Philippines on Saturday, September 26, at the same venue.
(Photo by James Neil Tamayo/FEU Advocate)