Chuo shuts down Blue Ayuyus

The CNMI’s Ryan Relucio, left, stays close on defense against Chuo University Countrys’ Gen Kawamura, while John Diego Masga looks on during the second half of their friendly game yesterday at the Oleai Sports Complex Field.
(Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Chuo University Countrys handed the CNMI Men’s National Team’s training pool a 6-0 beating during their friendly game yesterday at the Oleai Sports Complex Field.

The visiting squad from Japan dominated possession, resulting to a lot of scoring opportunities and a lopsided win against the Blue Ayuyus. Chuo’s goals began to come late in the first half as the Blue Ayuyus managed to hold their ground in the majority of the opening frame.

Hiroki Ando started things out for Chuo, as he scored in the 38th minute, while he also registered the team’s other goal in the first half two minutes before the opposing squads headed to their respective benches for the halftime break.

In the second half, Chuo this time hit the board early courtesy off Yuto Koizumi’s shot in the 47th minute.

With their foes threatening to pull away, the Commonwealth bets tried to tighten up their defense and at the same time attacked on a few occasions in a bid to get their first goal. After Koizumi’s goal, Ryu Tanzawa and Joshua De Leon found themselves a few feet away from the left corner of the goal post and alternately attempted to kick the ball, but Chuo goalkeeper Kei Chiba stepped it and grabbed the leather.

With the missed opportunities, the Blue Ayuyus went back to play defense to prevent Chuo from scoring more goals, but the visiting squad would not be denied as they collected three more with the first one coming from Kazuhiro Kawakame in the 62nd minute. The second was from Kazumasa Otsuka in the 75th, while the last was made by Koizumi seven minutes later.

The loss to Chuo was the Blue Ayuyus’ third in as many games this month and though they failed to win and score only one goal (against Aries FC), they are counting on the lessons they learned from the training matches.

“Coach Seki constantly reminded the players to treat the training match as if they are actual games in the EAFF tournament. They have to remain focus and keep their emotions in check,” assistant coach Jersh Angeles said.

The Blue Ayuyus are preparing for the East Asian Football Federation East Asian Cup 2016 Preliminary Round 1 which will be held in July with the venue yet to be determined.

“The mistakes they committed in the three friendly games must be corrected. The friendly matches also gave as a clear picture on what we need work on more (defense, offense, and other aspects of the game) in our training session so we will be better prepared when we compete in the EAFF,” Angeles added.

Meanwhile, the training pool will take a break this weekend and will resume their practice on Tuesday.