Former TanHoldings FC player wins 5th championship

Nathan Perez, kneeling right, poses with the rest of his Hollandia Collins teammates and their coaches after winning the 2022 Hollandia Cup in Saskatoon, Canada last weekend.(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Former TanHoldings FC player Nathan Perez is a soccer champion for a fifth time since he and his family moved to Saskatoon, Canada in 2019.

The seventh-grader at St. Edward Elementary School has been playing in the U13 Division II with Hollandia Collins, one of two U13 teams by Hollandia Soccer Club. Last weekend, Hollandia Collins competed in the 2022 Hollandia Cup boys’ Division II.

Hollandia Collins settled for a 2-2 draw with Aurora Orion to finish second in Pool A with a 2-0-1 won-loss-draw card. Aurora Orion topped Pool B with the same 2-0-1 record while QC United came in second with two losses and a draw.

Eastside United went undefeated in Pool A but lost to QC United, 1-0, in the semifinals while Hollandia Collins cruised to a 4-0 win against Aurora in the other Final Four match with Perez scoring the first goal five minutes into the game.

Hollandia Collins then lifted the Hollandia Cup after a 4-1 decision over QC United, the same team they that they cruised to a 13-1 win in pool play.

“We’re proud of his achievements and his being an important part of the team’s rotation. He is either a starter at midfield or comes off the bench. His coaches are proud of the way he chases every loose ball and how he pesters the opposing team,” said Perez’s father, Jon, who is a former reporter of Saipan Tribune.

The elder Perez describes his son’s activity in defense as that of a honeybee possessed. “He really goes after the ball and sticks to the one dribbling it.”

He also said Nathan is never intimidated going up against players taller than him and never backs down from any defensive assignment.

“He is quick to react and he had a number of assists where his teammates scored goals. He’s playing attitude is also good as he always looks for his teammates and where their positions are in the field before he passes the ball. He also lets his teammates score first especially if the opposing team’s defense is keying on him.”

Nathan Perez poses with the 2022 Hollandia Cup trophy. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Having played the other teams several times in the past, the elder Perez said that Nathan is always in their scouting report.

“Sometimes we can hear the coaches of the opposing teams giving instructions to their players telling them to guard No. 28, Nathan’s number.”

Aside from the 2022 Hollandia Cup, Nathan’s Hollandia Collins also won championships in the 2019 and 2021 Hollandia Off-The-Wall Tournament, 2021 SYSI Fall-Winter Season League, 2019 Saskatoon United Soccer Club, and the Hollandia Cup. Hollandia Collins had a runner-up finish in the 2021 Lakewood Just Kick It Cup ruled by Prince Albert Celtics.

“Of course, we are very thankful to TanHoldings FC for their coaches that were very patient in teaching young soccer players like Nathan the basic skills of the game and the support and leadership of the club’s president, the late Glicerio ‘Eli’ Arago,” said Jon.