Betde recovers, tops Kanoa Ali’i

Betde’s Mark Roque faces two Kanoa Ali’i defenders during the second half of their co-ed U12 division game in Saipan Soccer School’s 2018 Youth Futsal Tournament last Tuesday night at the TSL Sports Complex. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Betde regained its bearings quickly after a debut loss, beating Kanoa Ali’i in the lone game in the co-ed U12 division of Saipan Soccer School’s 2018 Youth Futsal Tournament last Tuesday night at the TSL Sports Complex.

Betde, which bowed to CTSI Petmalu, 1-3, during the tournament’s opening day last weekend, broke into the win column in its second try after dominating Kanoa Ali’i in their 40-minute game.

Mark Roque and Kaithlynn Chavez delivered two goals apiece for Betde, which drew one goal each from Wataru Kadokura, Anthony Austria, and Eros Estolas. Han Tae Hyun knocked in a pair of goals for Kanoa Ali’i, which got an own goal from Betde’s booboo.

Betde was also given an own goal in the first half, while Chavez and Roque hit the board in that period to lift their team to a 3-1 halftime lead. Hyun tallied the lone goal for Kanoa Ali’i in the opening 20 minutes of the match.

In the second half, three more Betde players (Kadokura, Austria, and Estolas) hit their mark, while Chavez recorded her second goal to hand Kanoa Ali’i its second loss in as many matches. Kanoa Ali’i fell to Tinsel Toes, 2-6, during the tournament’s kickoff last Sunday.

Meanwhile, two more teams bounced back from their debut losses with CNMI United winning in the co-ed U15 division and La Fabrica prevailing in the lone co-ed U18 age group game last Tuesday.

La Fabrica edged Islanders FC, 3-2, to recover from its 0-9 defeat at the hands of Bruv.

After going scoreless in its first game in the tournament, La Fabrica got its offense going against Islanders FC with Jason Quimzon and Ian Maniago making it to the board. Quimzon drilled two goals, while Maniago added one. Maniago drew first blood for La Fabrica, while Quimzon followed suit for a 2-0 halftime advantage.

Quimzon added one more in the second half for good measure, as Islanders FC nailed a pair in its failed comeback bid. Taka Borja scored the two goals for Islanders FC, which also dropped its opener versus CTSI Petmalu, 1-5, to remain winless and stay at the bottom of the team standings in the six-squad field.

In the co-ed U15 division, CNMI United downed Marianas United, 4-1.

A strong start set up CNMI United’s victory over Marianas United, as the former recorded three goals in the first half. Ian Maniago posted a pair for CNMI United, while Merrick Toves chipped in one. Floyd Muna then made the only goal for CNMI United in the second half, helping his squad bounced back from a 3-6 loss to Betde United last Sunday.

Marianas United, on the other hand, fell to a 0-2 mark, as only Jim Maniago scored for the losing team. Marianas United suffered a 1-22 beating against Fake Madrid during the tournament’s opening day.

Fake Madrid will play its second game today at 6:30pm against Betde United for the early solo lead in the division. In the co-ed U12 match at 5:30pm, CTSI Petmalu and Tinsel Toes will also collide for the top spot in their age group. Then in the nightcap at 7:30pm, CTSI Petmalu’s co-ed U18 squad will challenge ABCD FC.