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By Ross Calixterio
Striker / Union FC Blue
 After almost a month since the round robin ended, the stage is finally set.
Union White has just missed the Cup half of the draw and Union Blue finishes second, facing Alabang Grins in the first semi final. It's win or go home
time.
Before the game, everyone catches up with each other since it's been so long
since the last game. Congrats are in order for those who played in the National Finals last week, not only for the champion NCR team, but for those who also represented their respective regions. But that's all over and done with now. Time to focus on the next task at hand, the UFL 2007. Some key players are missing due to various reasons. Tyson, winner of the best midfielder award in Bacolod, and Chieffy the tournament MVP, are absent. However, nationals top striker Balot, and winning goal scorer (and jersey remover leading to a red card in the finals of nationals) Ian are present so there is still firepower. Only 15 players are available so TFC once again needs to find a winning formula with what he has. But he has history on his side as he now has the reputation that anything he touches turns into championships...
The starting 11 is composed of a solid and safe defense formation along with a potent offense. Jeff, sporting his new goalkeeper kit, in between the pipes. Back four: Mike B, Fabi, Brieuc, and the newly discovered defender Ayi. (Will, you're not the only one who tried to pull a fast one on us!) Anto as the holding midfielder, and up and comer Mark from Baguio leading the attack from the middle. On the wings are Captain Yanti and Balot. Ian and Ross up front.
The game plan is to use the first 10-15mins to get used to one another, but
expect the kids to be running all over the place. That's exactly what happens and not 10 mins in, some miscommunication and a counter attack fromthe kids. Seconds later ... 1-0 Alabang. Is this really happening? The kids celebrate like they just won the World Cup. Union Blue, uncharacteristically, keeps its composure. The same happens for the most part of the first half. Blue trying to work the ball and create chances, while the kids running and running and running, not giving Blue much time or space to operate. Before the stroke of halftime, patience finally pays off as a nice buildup leads to Ian receiving the ball just outside the box. He turns.. shoots... GOLAZO! A well placed shot into the corner ties the game.
Everyone runs to congratulate Ian and to make sure his jersey stays on.
Halftime score 1-1
Second half and more of the same. Blue continues to create while Alabang
continues to run. Not much in the way of scoring opportunities. 30 mins to
go and a long goal kick takes a high bounce and keeps going. One kid sneaks by the defense and goes one on one with Jeff. Goal. 2-1. Holy sh*t...This IS really happening. Nobody expected this. An embarrassing loss looms, but Blue doesn't want to quit yet. Time is running out though and now we need to press. TFC makes a substitution. Fabi, already with a yellow card, is dangerously close to getting another one and being sent off. Fabi, remember your school??? TFC elects to remove him and replace him with Pat into the midfield, adding more offense. Formation changes to 3-5-2. Time to go all out and try to save the season. TFC once again looks like the genius when 5 mins after the substitution, a goal scoring opportunity for Blue. The ball is crossed into the box and lands generously in front of Balot. It bounces and Balot calmly taps it over the keeper and in! GOLAZO!
2-2! Only about 10 mins to go. Extra time is near and in case of penalties, we have Jeff's new uniform in goal...6 mins remaining. Another well orchestrated attack and Ian once again gets the ball outside the area. His adrenaline still high over his nationals game winning goal, he beautifully spins by his defender... beats another one... shoots.......... and ........it's headed for the bottom corner .... the keeper dives ..... reaches .... and ....could it be? .... YES!!! GOLAZO!!!!!! A collective scream from the Union Blue bench, followed by a collective sigh of relief and wiping of the forehead. What a turn of events in this game. 20 mins ago it seemed as if the season was over after Alabang took their second lead of the game. But give credit to the Blue team who showed no signs of panic and played patiently the whole 90 mins and got rewarded in the end. It wasn't pretty, and it was definitely not up to
standard, but good teams always find a way to win. We really just got through to the finals by the skin of our teeth. A true display of the spirit of Union showing heart and determination, and fighting until the final whistle. It's off to the finals against Kaya....
Photo courtesy of Rafael Rodriguez
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