Sekiguchi experiments in scrimmage

CNMI U19 National Team coach Kiyoshi Sekiguchi used their scrimmage against Assumption Christian School to test player combinations at the pitch.

The CNMI U19 National Team players and officials pose for a group photo at the Assumption Christian School in Thailand before having a scrimmage against the hosts last Wednesday.
(Contributed Photo)

“The match was a chance for the team to learn and gain valuable experience in preparation for next week’s tournament in Bangkok. Coach experimented with players in different combinations, positions, and formations on the field,” team manager Ruselle Zapanta said.

The Teen Ayuyus played ASC at the latter’s campus field in Si Racha District in Thailand last Wednesday afternoon for the visiting team’s first scrimmage in preparation for the AFC U19 Championship Bahrain 2016 Qualifiers that will start next week.

Sekiguchi used a 4-1-4-1 formation with forward Sean Perez starting out for the CNMI and joined by midfielders Ryu Tanzawa, Evan Belcher, Chad Shankweiler, and Scott Kim, defenders John Diego Masga, James Ermitanio, Alan Hinson, and Jordan Butcher, defensive midfielder Joel Fruit, and goalkeeper Chris Aninzo.

In the second half, the CNMI coach used substitutions and switched players. Tanzawa moved to the forward position, Ryan Relucio, Greg Sablan, and Yoshi Mafnas joined Belcher at midfield, and Fruit stayed at his spot. Won Young Kim and Reniel Relucio were the new defenders, teaming up with Masga and Butcher, while Joshua Galario relieved Aninzo at the goalie position. Mareko Tekopua and Emmanuel Aniana missed the scrimmage due to groin injuries.

The CNMI players were pitted against the school’s U16 team with the host squad winning, 6-0. Assumption players had four or five Thai national players on its roster, according to Zapanta, and it is considered as one of the top school teams in the country. The host team led by five at halftime as they scored in the sixth, 10th, 15th, 27th, and 28th minute, while their last goal was recorded in the 49th.

“From what I observed from the bench, ACS had their strong team throughout the first half. As halftime approached, they had already substituted half of the starting 11. ACS also had given their squad a fair share of pitch time,” Zapanta said.

Meanwhile, the CNMI U19 crew returned to practice yesterday morning and took the time off in the afternoon. Today, they will play their second and last scrimmage against Chonburi FC Academy players to complete the five-day training camp before leaving for Bangkok tomorrow in time for the opening of the qualifier this Monday.

In Bangkok, the Teen Ayuyus will debut against Chinese-Taipei on Sept. 28 and will have their last three matches in Group H versus Singapore (Sept. 30), Thailand (Oct. 2), and South Korea (Oct. 4).