2 Japanese teams vs NMI players

Two more Japanese teams will challenge CNMI’s players in exhibition matches this month at the Oleai Sports Complex Field.

This Saturday, the CNMI Boys U18 National Team will host Aries FC. Game time is 4pm.

Aries FC, according to CNMI coach and Northern Mariana Islands Football Association technical director Kiyoshi Sekiguchi, is one of the more famous football clubs in Tokyo and was established in 1969. He played for the club for five straight seasons (1991-1996) and was also its head coach from 2000 to 2002.

Sekiguchi added the team that will see action on Saipan this Saturday are composed of players in the 30-and-over age group.

“It’s a strong team. Some of them played in top college leagues in Japan,” Sekiguchi said in an email sent to Saipan Tribune.

The visiting squad will face the CNMI U18 National Team that came from a 2-1 victory over Japan Soccer College early this month. The Blue Ayuyus are led by Sean Perez, who scored the pair of goals against Japan Soccer College. Completing the squad are Scott Kim, Joshua Galarion, Chris Aninzo, Evan Belcher, Saixian Bagsic, Carlon Cruzat, Enrico Del Rosario, Joel Fruit, Kennedy Izuka, Jehn Joyner, Won Jun Kim, Yoshi and Kenneth Mafnas, John Masga, Dakota Hall, Reniel and Ryan Relucio, Greg Sbalan, John Taisacan, Ryu Tanzawa, Glenn Vidal, and Jireh Yobech. Kiyoshi will call the shots for the Blue Ayuyus and will be assisted by Jershwin Angeles.

Some of the members of the youth team will return to the pitch on Feb. 17 to join the CNMI Men’s National Team and square off against a selection from Sensyu University.

According to Sekiguchi, Sensyu University players’ skill level is similar to that of Japan Soccer College. Sensyu University is also based in Tokyo and competed in three leagues last year. It posted a 14-5-3 win-draw-loss record in the JUFA Kanto League 1 and 1-0-1 mark in the Japan College Prime Minister’s Cup and dropped its lone match in the Japan Inter College Tournament.

Sensyu University will play the CNMI Men’s National Team at 5pm. The host squad is composed of Joe Miller, Daniel Agulto, Trey Dunn, Ethan Dickinson, Ruselle Zapanta, Arkie Reusora, Peter Loken, Fruit, Joyner, Perez, Belcher, Izuka, Taisacan, Masga, Galarion, Kim, and Del Rosario.

Majority of the members of the CNMI Men’s National Team also played for a selection that battled and lost to Japan Soccer College last week, 1-0, and they are hoping to earn a win this time against Sensyu.

Raffle prizes
Meanwhile, NMIFA is inviting the public anew to come out and support the teams playing in the two exhibition games.

NMIFA added that on both days, raffle tickets will be given to spectators and they can win shirts and other merchandise from the two visiting teams. Raffle tickets will be available at the grandstand of the sports complex. Names of the lucky winners will be announced on Saipan Tribune and prizes can be claimed at the NMIFA office at the TSL Plaza in Garapan.