Previous Story
CNMI bows to Malaysia, preps for last 2 games
The CNMI U16 National Team fell to Malaysia, 0-13, to remain winless in the AFC U16 Championship India 2016 Qualifier.
The Commonwealth players allowed Malaysia to score early and the latter never looked back to cruise to victory last Monday night at the National Sports Complex Stadium in Vientiane, Laos.
Midfielder Muhammad Izreen drew first blood for the Malaysians, as he scored in the sixth minute. He knocked in three more, finding the back of the net in the 32nd, 54th, and 67th to power his team to the lopsided win.
Malaysia set up the easy win as it already led by six at halftime. Forward Nor Mairul and midfielder Arif Shaqirin hit the board for Malaysia in the 22nd and 36th minute, while another midfielder, Muhammad Iqbal Hakem, fired back-to-back in the 41st and 44th to give Malaysia a good lead. Hakem added one more goal in the 56th minute before riding the bench in the 70th, while forward Muhammad Alif Safwan contributed two straight goals (58th and 61st), and Shaqirin tallied the other goal in the opening minute of the second half.
Despite losing to the strong Malaysian crew, CNMI officials were still happy with the CNMI players’ game and are now focusing on the squad’s two remaining matches—against host Laos today and versus the Philippines this Sunday.
“Our players gave their 100 percent best and we are proud of our boys,” said Eric Abragan, who now manages the U16 team after fellow team manager Derek Chambers left Laos for Saipan yesterday morning.
Goalie Christopher Aninzo started out for the CNMI anew in their game against Malaysia and was joined on the pitch by Euly Ermitano, Joshua Abragan, Alan Hinson, Mareko Tekopua, Alex Park, Louie Calayad, Emmanuel Aniana, Edwin Kim, and Chad Shankweiler. Clayton Izuka relieved Aninzo in the 60th minute, while Thaiphi Austria and Sunjoon Tenorio also got a chance to play in the second half.
“After our game, our coaches watched the next match (Timor Leste vs. Philippines) while the rest of us went back to the hotel to freshen up and have dinner. Later that night we found out Timor-Leste beat the Philippines, 9-0. When we played Timor-Leste during our first game, the score was 8-0. Our players are now preparing for the last two games. Wish us all the best,” Abragan added.
Meanwhile, the CNMI U14 National Team that completed its stint in the AFC U14 Regional Festival of Football 2015 in Beijing, China, returned to Saipan yesterday. Ten members of the squad and some team officials were supposed to arrive Monday night, but their United Airlines flight was cancelled due to aircraft maintenance, according to Northern Mariana Islands Football Association general secretary Ross Zapanta.
