Title decider in co-ed U13

TanHoldings Football Club-1’s Anthony Bergancia, left, goes fancy with his kick, while a Kanoa FC-2 stays close on defense during their co-ed U13 division game in the 2018 NMIFA Spring Youth League last Saturday at the Hopwood Middle School Field. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Two of the last three matches in the co-ed U13 division of the 2018 NMIFA Spring Youth League this Saturday will determine the winner of the season championship.

TanHoldings Football Club-1, MP United FC, and Kanoa FC-1 will figure in a three-way fight for the division crown this weekend, as the former missed sealing the title early after being forced to a draw by Kanoa FC-2, 1-1, in last Saturday’s match at the Hopwood Middle School Field.

Markus Pelisamen threatened TanHoldings-1’s title bid, as his goal in the 12th minute handed Kanoa-2 the lead. Fortunately for TanHoldings-1, Mark Joseph Roque scored in the 31st minute to avert an impending loss.

However, with the draw, TanHoldings-1 posted a 7-1-1 record, giving both MP United (6-1-2) and Kanoa-1 (6-1-2) a chance to win the division championship.

TanHoldings-1 will duel MP United in the final weekend of the double-round robin competition with the former needing only a draw to secure the title. An MP United victory coupled with Kanoa-1’s triumph against Matansa this weekend will create a three-way tie for the top spot—with TanHoldings, Kanoa-1, and MP United ending the tournament with similar 7-1-2 marks.

An MP United win and Kanoa-1 defeat would leave the former and TanHoldings-1 in a deadlock for the No. 1 spot (7-1-2 slates). Northern Mariana Islands Football Association, which organizes the youth league, will implement a playoff match in case of a two-way tie, while format for a three-team standoff has yet to be announced.

MP United remained in the title hunt following its 4-2 victory over Matansa last Saturday.

Andrew Chung delivered three goals for MP United, making them in succession, as he scored in the fifth, eighth, and 23rd minute. Dev Bachani handed MP United its first goal right in the opening minute of the match. Matansa, which fell to a 4-0-5 record, drew goals from Nazzir Altamiro and Philip Megino in the 12th and 16th minute, respectively.

Meanwhile, Kanoa-1 made this weekend’s games interesting, as it got its sixth victory after a 13-0 trashing of the winless TanHoldings-2 last Saturday.

Taehun Han and Devin Propst registered three goals apiece for Kanoa-1. which handed TanHoldings-1 its lone loss so far this season. Han lit up the board in the 11th, 27th, and 48th minute, while Propst posted a hat trick as he scored in the 13th, 33rd, and 42nd. Jim Kurt Maniago and John Mark Anastacio added two goals apiece, while Sean Gil, Paulo Jerome Quidato, and Ruben Guerrero chipped in one each to complete Kanoa-1 demolition of the hapless TanHoldings-2.

TanHoldings-1 will try to enter the win column for the last time this weekend when it takes on spoiler Kanoa-2.