22 players join NMIFA goalkeeping clinic

Northern Mariana Islands Football Association held another goalkeeping clinic last Saturday at the Koblerville Elementary School Field, drawing 22 participants in the morning session.

Last weekend’s clinic was third of a series of NMIFA’s goalkeeping seminars and it was for players in the 12 and above age group. Fourteen boys and eight girls attended the event and learned techniques in goalkeeping.

“I wanted to have this goalkeeping clinic because being a goalkeeper is a very important position. I saw many international matches where goalkeepers changed the games results by saving goals,” NMIFA technical director and CNMI Men’s National Team head coach Michiteru Mita said.

Saipan Soccer School staff Angie Ito and Chelsea FC Soccer School Hong Kong’s Jimmy Tang assisted Mita in conducting the first three goalkeeping clinics. Also lending a hand during last Saturday’s session were CNMI national team goalies Christopher Aninzo and Carla Ballesteros, NMIFA assistant coach Jersh Angeles, and Chelsea FC Soccer School Hong Kong’s Jacky Lee.

“The goalkeeping clinic is an experience that many should take advantage of. We often take for granted the position of a goalkeeper. Not many kids aspire to become a goalkeeper nor does it attract the attention of those who have little to no knowledge about soccer. Most of my friends and family wonder why I play this certain position. I respond and say ‘It’s the toughest job and only a few can handle the pressure. I can either help save the game or lose it. I chose to save it,’” Aninzo said.

“I just arrived from the NMI U18 Hong Kong trip and played against the top U18 youth clubs there. We came back with great result having two wins and two clean sheets on my end and it was definitely a game changer. I hope to continue seeing more and more kids come out to participate and learn the basics of goalkeeping through this program,” he added.

Meanwhile, Lee is excited to see new players showing interest in goalkeeping.

“I am very happy to see many new faces in the clinic. I am also very happy to see a better number of girls on the field trying to do goalkeeping. I will share this good news to coach Koo,” said Lee, who was referring to Chelsea FC Soccer School Hong Kong technical director and CNMI Women’s National Team coach Luam Khen Koo.

Kanoa Football Club’s Jonathan Mindanao and Paire FC’s Cathlyn Reyes were among the participants in last Saturday’s event and loved every bit of the session.

“The goalkeeping clinic was really fun. I love being a goalkeeper because it is an important position in a soccer team since we are the ones communicating with the players and we see everything. Without the goalkeeper, no one will be saving shots for the team and then the whole squad will lose and that’s a bad feeling,” the Kanoa goalie said.

“At first I was sort of shy because I don’t know most of the other goalkeepers, but later it started to be more fun and much easier. I want to be a goalkeeper because it is the position I mostly play and I am good at it. Also, goalkeeping involves a lot of thinking and strategies and I love both,” Reyes said.

For his part, Angeles said that Reyes, Mindanao, and others who will make up the CNMI’s pool of goalkeepers will be great assets to the islands’ grassroots program if trained regularly and properly.

“A good goalkeeper can change the game. Goalkeepers nowadays play high outside the box and become the last defender,” Angeles said.

NMIFA’s goalkeeping program is highly recommended by its president Jerry Tan, as he encouraged various clubs to send their representatives to the series of clinics and capitalize on this great opportunity.

The next goal keeping session will be held this Saturday at the Koblerville pitch from 8am to 9:30am. New players are welcome to join the clinic. (Saipan Tribune)