TanHoldings takes solo lead in MLS Cup

TanHoldings Footballl Club’s Michiteru Mita, left, seen here colliding with a Paire Football Club defender during an earlier match in the MLS Cup of the Marianas Soccer League Fall Season 2021, scored the game-winner in their duel against the NMI Boys U18 National Team last Sunday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

TanHoldings Football Club dislodged the NMI Boys U18 National Team from the top spot in the MSL Cup of the Marianas Soccer League Fall Season 2021 after escaping with a 2-1 victory last Sunday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.

Michiteru Mita hit the dagger for TanHoldings, as he scored in the fifth minute of the extra time off a penalty shot. With the win, TanHoldings improved its win-draw-loss record to 3-0-0 and moved up to solo first place in the six-team division, while the NMI U18 slid to second after absorbing their first loss in three games.

It was a come-from-behind victory for TanHoldings, as the NMI U18 hung on to the precarious 1-0 lead in the majority of the game before Jersh Angeles finally put the leading team on the board with his equalizer in the 89th minute. Mita then completed TanHoldings’ late rally with his PK conversion to extend the squad’s streak to three.

Earlier in the 37th minute, Kohtaro Goto gave the NMI U18 the advantage in the first half.

Meanwhile, only two three games were played over the weekend when the MSL resumed its season after taking a week-long lull as safety measure against the COVID-19 cases in the community.

In last Friday’s Hafa Adai Fun Cup, Saipan United and The One FC eased past their respective foes.

Saipan United played last Friday and dominated Kanoa, 7-2, for a 3-0-0 mark and to keep the No. 1 spot in the team standings of the 10-squad field. Kanoa is at the bottom half of the rankings, as it has yet to earn a win after two games.

Ichiro Borja and Soheal Akanda scored two goals apiece to help Saipan United rout Kanoa, which drew its pair of goals from siblings Ruselle and Raymond Zapanta.

The One FC also hammered Bangladesh FC in their duel last Sunday, 5-0, behind the hat-trick of Paul Jang. Don Cabrera and Qiwei Wang made the two other goals for The One FC.

U15 games in youth league, women’s matches to resume

The 2021 NMIFA Youth Fall League will return to action this weekend after also taking a brief break due to the recent COVID-19 cases.

However, only matches in the girls and boys U15 will resume this Saturday and the NMIFA will enforce strict safety guidelines for players, officials, and spectators. Only fully vaccinated players, spectators, and officials will be allowed at the games. Proof of vaccination is required for spectators and officials. No spectators in the 14-and-under age group are allowed at the facility.

In the Dove Women’s Fall League 2021, four teams each in the Novice and Intermediate divisions are confirmed to play this Sunday. The youth league safety measures will also be implemented in women’s play.