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Mita hails CNMI’s build up for Marianas Cup
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- The CNMI’s Enrico Del Rosario, center, battles an FC Imabari Youth player for the ball during a training match in Japan early this month. (Contributed Photo)
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- CNMI players perform warm-up drills during their training camp in Japan. (Contributed Photo)
Northern Mariana Islands Football Association technical director Michiteru Mita is pleased with the turnout of the CNMI Men’s U19 National Team’s training camp in Matsuyama, Japan.
“The Japan training camp was a success. The team struggled a bit during the first two matches, but the players took the lead, had a meeting, and discussed areas of improvement on their own. They applied the learning during the following three matches, resulting in one win over a very skilled Japanese team,” said Mita, who is also the squad’s head coach and facilitated the eight-day training camp held late last month.
The group, whose members are composed mostly of U19 players and reinforced with some U23, had regular training sessions at the Hokuiyo Sports Center and challenged collegiate, club, and high school teams in Japan. The CNMI players squared off against St. Catherine University twice and also challenged Matsuyama Technical High School, Ehime University, FC Imabari Youth.
“During the last matches, even though we did not win, I could see that the players put their 100% and vigorously played to their full potential,” said Mita, who set the training camp to prepare the team for the 2019 Marianas Cup that Guam will be hosting this Sunday at the Guam Football Association National Training Center in Dededo.
“These were also acknowledged by the head coach of the opposing team, who was impressed with CNMI’s good attitudes and hard work,” Mita said.
After the training camp, the group just took a few days of rest before resuming their preparations for the Marianas Cup at the NMI Soccer Training in Koblerville. Mita said that in the last few days of their training, they will work on their chemistry and conditioning.
“We will ensure that the whole team has a common understanding about our game strategies and maintains itshigh spirits and concentration. We will also enhance team chemistry and players’ conditioning,” the coach said.
