After fighting tooth and nail against the defending United Football League champions on opening day, Green Archers United found themselves in the worst of starts and almost gave Pasargad and debuting coach Nii Aryee Ayi their first win of the season. Good thing the Archers held on as a Dodong Villareal goal in the 70th minute to notch a 1-1 draw on January 16 at the Emperador Stadium, McKinley Hill, Taguig.
Coach Rodolfo Alicante was displeased with his squad's start as Simon Pierre Bayemeg scored in the 21st minute to hand his team the lead. With Pasargad playing at a deliberate pace, GAU picked up the tempo in the second half and started pressuring from way back.
Green Archers' resilience paid off as Villareal slotted one in front of the mouth of the goal, the assist courtesy of Chieffy Caligdong off a corner kick. They had several more chances to break the tie, but the ball does not just want to go beyond the goal line. Russel Anthony Pierson was a stonewall of a keeper, frustrating GAU's forays from inside the box as well as Jessie Martindale's booming attempts from beyond.
"Yung first half namin yung pinaka-worst na start. Yung mga players namin medyo off, maraming bad pass kaya naka-goal ang Pasargad," Alicante assessed. "But in the second half, nag-adjust ako. Nag-start ako sa loob muna, pinaikot ko muna yung mga players."
Alicante made changes in front to give his attacking line more teeth with Jovanie Simpron coming in for Tating Pasilan barely five minutes into the second half and Villareal and earlier substitute Park Jun Soo switching positions. This proved to be fruitful as the passes became more accurate, and coupled with fleet footspeed, was able to net a goal but not enough to take the full three points.
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