Armada stuns Hakone, enters finals

Marianas Health Armada’s Jerlyn Castillo, left, kicks the ball, while Hakone FC’s Krizel Tuazon steps in for defense during the second half of their semis game in the girls U17 division of the Saipan Soccer School’s 2017 Youth Summer Futsal Tournament yesterday at the TSL Sports Complex. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Marianas Health Armada recorded an upset at the start of the playoff round of the Saipan Soccer School’s 2017 Youth Summer Futsal Tournament after nosing out Hakone FC, 2-1, in their semis game in the girls U17 division yesterday at the TSL Sports Complex.

Marinel Falalimpa drilled the pair of goals for Armada, which finished last in the double-round robin preliminaries with only a win to show in six games and was obviously the underdog in their semis match against the top-ranked Hakone FC. Hakone FC entered the playoffs with a 5-0-1 win-draw-loss record, beating Armada in their first two meetings, 12-1 and 3-2, and winning the tiebreaker for first place against F. Marinos for its better goal difference, 24 to 17.

Hakone then drew first blood in the semis tiff, thanks to Katrina Costales goal midway in the opening half. However, Armada equalized in the closing minutes of the first half when Falalimpa hit a left cross.

The game remained tied early in the second half before Falalimpa made the go-ahead in the 28th minute. Falalimpa was at the right place at the right time to break the deadlock and the heart of the heavily favored Hakone FC. Falalimpa’s dagger was a follow up as Jerlyn Castillo’s attempt against two Hakone FC defenders came up short with goalie Theresa Toves partially blocking the ball when she moved in to provide help defense. The ball stopped rolling a few meters away from the goal line, but Falalimpa was there left open for short shot to give Armada the shaky lead.

Now down and with its finals bid in limbo, Hakone FC became more aggressive on offense, while Armada focused on defense in the ensuing plays in the 20-minute second half. Mia Carreon made a couple of attempts, but failed to cash in, while Paulyn Joyce had a sorry miss in the last three minutes and change of the intense semis match.

Joyce unloaded a right cross off a pass from Krizel Tuazon, who opted to swing the ball to the former instead of attempting a free kick after getting fouled by Britany Wally. It was a good choice since Armada defenders were obviously bundled up on the left part of the pitch, forming a wall to prevent Tuazon from having a clear look at her target. However, Joyce failed to convert her attempt, as the ball first bounced off the lower left post and then hit the lower right before rolling down to the corner with Armada goalie Chevy Kate Alipio finally picking it up and ending a scary moment for her team.

Armada then melted the clock to complete the upset and take the first finals seat in the division. Though Falalimpa scored the game-winner for Armada, Alipio also played a key role in their semis win over Hakone FC, as the goalie registered 17 saves in only her second game in the tournament.

Armada will play in the winner-take-all finals tomorrow against the victor of the F. Marinos-Isamu United tiff today.

Meanwhile, Saipan Elite eased its way to the title match in the boys U16 division after downing HK SSS, 8-2.

Merrick Toves, Kohtaro Goto, and Rintaro Miyawaki teamed up in bringing Saipan Elite to the finals after posting two goals apiece. Oliver Lee added one and Saipan Elite got one more goal off HK SSS’ miscue. Joshua Daniel Moilig and Dylan Kim tallied the two goals for HK SSS.

Saipan Elite’s finals foe will be the winner in the other semis game between 4Gives and NMI U16. The second and last Final Four pairing in the division will take place today at 4pm.