Doko brace powers Adamson past UE

Golike Doko scored twice as Adamson University completed a season sweep of University of the East (UE) with a 4–2 victory in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 88 men’s football tournament on Thursday at the University of the Philippines Football Stadium.

The Cameroonian striker once again proved to be UE’s nemesis, just as he was in their first-round meeting. Doko opened the scoring in a 3–0 victory over the Red Warriors on 3 October.

This time around, Adamson clawed its way back before halftime.

“I think we deserved the win,” Adamson head coach Darlton Digha said.

Doko converted a corner kick from Mark Ricario in the 39th minute to pull one back after UE had built a two-goal cushion courtesy of Nicho Sumanoy, who scored in the 14th and 19th minutes.

Ricario then leveled the score in the 59th minute, converting a free kick following a foul on Doko by UE’s Keith Hermoso, who was shown a yellow card.

Doko completed his brace in the 69th minute, giving the Soaring Falcons the lead and ultimately sealing the comeback victory. Lloyd Tan added a late goal to finalize the 4–2 result.

“We were really frustrated as a coaching staff in the first half, but the players recognized it and stepped up in the second half. Based on our last two weeks of training, I felt we really came back,” Digha added.

Adamson remained in sixth place with nine points, level with De La Salle University but with an inferior goal difference of –9.

UE stayed at the bottom with zero points and a goal difference of –21. The Recto-based squad will aim to close its campaign on a high note against De La Salle University on 25 January at 2 p.m.

Adamson will look to maintain its momentum against league-leading University of the Philippines on Sunday at 2 p.m.