Kanoa U18 takes FA Cup

Kanoa Football Club U18’s Andruw Omelau, third left, is defended by TanHoldings FC U18’s Aloyzeus Angeles during the second half of their title game in the 2019 FA Challenge Cup last Saturday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Kanoa Football Club Boys U18 nosed out TanHoldings U18, 1-0, to rule the 2019 FA Challenge Cup last Saturday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.

Sebastien Manabat scored the deciding goal off a penalty kick in the 40th minute to hand Kanoa the FA Cup, which was contested by seven teams that saw action in the the 2019 NMIFA Fall Youth League.

Manabat attempted the penalty shot after Joseph Rasa was issued a red card following a collision with Markus Toves. Manabat took his time before kicking the ball straight with TanHoldings U18 goalie Richard Waldo a stepped late for a save, as he slid to his left in an attempt to grab the leather.

After Manabat’s goal, TanHoldings U18 had three opportunities to equalize, but could not cash in on those chances.

The first one was just a few minutes after Sebastian hit the penalty, as Mark Esalan led TanHoldings’ attack and eluded his defenders, prompting Kanoa goalie Merrick Toves to move in and try to pick up the ball. With Toves gambling on defense, Esalan dribbled once again and was getting ready for a shot, but slipped and lost possession in the end.

Despite the missed opportunity, TanHoldings persevered and got a second chance to knot the count and stay in contention for the FA Cup when Kanoa was called for a hand ball. Taka Borja then took the free kick outside the left center, but his cross lob overshot the mark, as it went far wide to the right away from his two teammates who were going for a header.

With luck on its side and Kanoa hanging on to the shaky lead, the eventual winning team tried to use some time in the 50-minute game in the ensuing plays. The match was then extended for three minutes and with a little over a minute left in extra time, TanHoldings had one final chance to tie the duel.

Esalan and Kaden Church teamed up in what could have been a game-saving play with the former anchoring TanHoldings’ attack anew and drawing defenders on him before swinging a pass to the latter just past left center. Church then dribbled and could have taken the shot right there, but decided to make a few more dribbles to his left, creating a more difficult angle for him when he finally unloaded the ball. The leather ended up hitting the outside of the lower corner post before going out.

Kanoa then got the possession and wisely moved the ball around as time expired, allowing the team to pull off an upset over TanHoldings, which topped the boys U18 division of the Fall season.

With TanHoldings U18 winning the youth league crown early last month, it drew a bye in the single-elimination tournament and automatically advanced to the semis where it clobbered Matansa U15, 9-0 to march into the finals. Esalan had a hat trick in TanHoldings’ domination over Matansa, while John Guiller Canape, George Shokarev, Aloyzeus Angeles, John Colisao, Borja, and Church added one apiece.

Matansa before losing to TanHoldings, routed Shirley’s U15, 9-1, to reach the semis. Philip Megino delivered three goals in the lopsided win, while his brother Alex, Paul Lizama, and Jose Lopez chipped in two apiece, and Praise Woo contributed one. Gabriel Arkoh Jr. drilled the lone goal for Shirley’s U15.

Kanoa U18, on the other hand, qualified to the Final Four following a 3-1 triumph over MP United U18. Jaydee Jose had a brace for Kanoa, while Ian Karl Maniago tallied the other goal for the team. MP United’s only goal came from Oliver Lee.

After eliminating MP United U18, Kanoa U16 next ousted Matansa U18, 6-1, to earn the right to challenge TanHoldings U18 for the FA Cup. Andruw Omelau starred in Kanoa U18’s easy win over Matansa U18 after firing four goals, while Brian Lubao and Manabat added one each. Matansa U18 had an own goal in the loss.

Northern Mariana Islands Football Association vice president Vickie Izuka, far left, and NMIFA Executive Committee member Norman Del Rosario, second left, join Kanoa Football Club U18 players and coach Irish Pagarao, third left, for a group photo during the awarding ceremony for the 2019 FA Challenge Cup last Saturday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)