CNMI falls to Chinese-Taipei

Chinese-Taipei handed the CNMI a 10-0 beating at the start of the AFC U19 Championship Bahrain 2016 Qualifiers last Monday night at the SGC Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

The CNMI U19 National Team’s starting unit poses for a photo before playing against Chinese-Taipei in the AFC U19 Championship Bahrain 2016 Qualifiers last Monday night at the SGC Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. (Contributed Photo)

The CNMI U19 National Team gave up an early goal to Chinese-Taipei and the latter picked up from thereon en route to the lopsided victory.

“We have just completed our first match of the tournament. Unfortunately, we lost to Chinese-Taipei. The boys worked hard but were out-skilled by Chinese-Taipei,” team manager Ruselle Zapanta said.

“The focus of the team was to create a defensive block, prevent the other team from penetrating the goal, and counter attack,” Zapanta added.

Despite of the Teen Ayuyus’ defensive stance, Chinese-Taipei’s better offensive skills stood out right in the first few minutes of the first half, as it had multiple attempts and scored in the second minute off midfielder Kao Wei-Jie’s goal. It went on to knock in three more goals in the first 45 minutes of play to enter the dugout with a 4-0 halftime lead. Forward Chen Hung-Wei had a brace in the first half, lighting up the board in the 12th minute and 29th, while fellow forward Yu Chia-Huang registered the other goal in the 17th.

Chinese-Taipei kept going in the second half with Chia-Huang completing a hat-trick as he drilled two more goals (64th and 79th). Midfielder Chao Ming-Hsiu and another forward, Cheng Chun-Shien contributed two goals apiece with the former scoring in the 47th and 61st and the latter in the 73rd and in the first minute of stoppage time.

As for the CNMI, although it failed to hit the board anew in the second half, the Teen Ayuyus got some chances to score in the final frame.

“We managed to create a few breaks into the final third but to no avail. Despite the loss, the boys will continue to work toward that big win. All the coaches are asking is that they give it their all and do their best,” Zapanta said

“No major injuries from the match. James (Ermitanio) was subbed out by Alan (Hinson) for precaution 10-15 minutes into the second half. We will be keeping an eye on his (Ermitanio) knee. Kennedy (Izuka) and Hunter (Jewell) were subbed out by Scott (Kim) and Yoshi (Mafnas) to bring in some fresh legs,” the team manager added.

Joining Izuka and Jewell on the CNMI’s starting 11 were goalie Chris Aninzo, John Diego Masga, Joel Fruit, Terrence Thosert-Belcher, Emmanuel Aniana, Chad Shankweiler, Sean Perez, and Jordan Butcher.

After their debut game in the Group H qualifier, the Teen Ayuyus rested yesterday morning before returning to the pitch in the afternoon to practice and prepare for their second match in the tournament.

The CNMI faces Singapore today at 3pm (6pm Saipan time) at the SCG Stadium. Singapore is also coming off a loss, bowing to group favorite South Korea, 2-6, during the qualifier’s opening match last Monday afternoon. Host Thailand completes the field and will play its first game in the qualifier against Chinese-Taipei at 7pm local time. The top finisher in the round-robin pool play will gain entry to the championship that will be held in Bahrain next year.