CNMI drops opener in EAFF festival

CNMI U13 National Team fell to Chinese-Taipei, 0-7, in their opening game in the East Asian Football Federation Boys U13 Festival 2015 yesterday at the Leo Palace Resort Field in Guam.

Players of the CNMI U13 National Team pose for a photo at the Leo Palace Resort before their opening game in the East Asian Football Federation Boys U13 Festival 2015 yesterday in Guam. (Contributed Photo)

Chinese-Taipei scored four goals in the first half to take control of the match and never looked back to deny the Teen Ayuyus a good start in the five-country event.

The Jersh Angeles-coached CNMI held its defense in the first nine minutes of the match before Chinese-Taipei found the back of the net in the 10th minute. Chinese-Taipei went on to notch its second and third goals in the 23rd and 25th minute and closed out the first half with another goal inside the final minute of opening frame. Each game in the festival has 30-minute halves. Chinese-Taipei’s other goals were registered in the 32nd, 53rd, and 59th minute. Players who scored for Chinese-Taipei were not mentioned in the information sent to Saipan Tribune by team manager Eric Abragan and official match report was unavailable at the event’s website at press time.

“I did not really pay attention to the score but we had many chances of scoring, especially from Eddie and John Michael. Obviously Chinese-Taipei is bigger, faster, and more skilled. The boys played better in the second half, most them were nervous during first half. Overall, I can say they played their best, they listened to the coaches, and they enjoyed playing. As expected, the first-timers were surprised with Chinese-Taipei’s level of football. Hopefully, they can learn from this game. For sure the boys will do better in the next games,” said Angeles, who is being assisted by Taketomo Suzuki.

Seven of the 18 CNMI players suited up in the team’s opening match with goalie Floyd Muna starting out for the Teen Ayuyus. He was joined by Kirt Andon, Thaiphi Austria, Kirro Batin, Edward Cho, Kaden Church, Mark Esalan, Eun Syu Hahn, Sebastian Manabat, Ian Maniago, and John Michael Rojas, while Justin Achas, Razeff Altamirano, Lolobeyong Benito, Taka Borka, Angelo Bergancia, and Jhoey Noble were the substitutes. The team’s other goalie, Jason Quimzon, missed the opener due to an injury he sustained during practice last Saturday, but Abragan said the former will be able to play today with the Teen Ayuyus having back-to-back matches.

The CNMI will collide first against Hong Kong at 11:30am and will be back at the pitch at 4pm for a highly-anticipated showdown against Guam. Guam had its first game against powerhouse Hong Kong yesterday morning and the host also challenged powerhouse North Korea in the afternoon pairing, but results of both matches were unavailable at press time. The Teen Ayuyus will face the favored North Koreans tomorrow in the first game of the day at 10am.