CNMI, Guam renew rivalry in Marianas Cup

The CNMI Boys U18 National Team’s Thaiphi Austria, left, performs dribbling drills, while Joshua Abragan waits for his turn during a training session last month at the Koblerville Elementary School Field. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Northern Mariana Islands Football Association is sending two teams to Guam to play against the hosts in the Marianas Cup 2017 this Sunday at the Guam Football Association National Training Center in Dededo.

The CNMI Boys U18 National Team will be squaring off against the Guam All-Stars at 4pm, while the CNMI Girls U19 National Team will challenge the Guam Women’s National Team at 7pm.

“I thanked GFA for hosting the Marianas Cup and for their continued and big support to our development. Guam is always our model and good rival,” NMIFA technical director and CNMI U18 coach Michiteru Mita said.

Mita added that holding the Marianas Cup regularly is very important in the development of the sport and the CNMI and Guam’s youth players.

“We need to play this kind of competitive international matches more often and improve together to close the gap with other countries. ASEAN countries that played in the AFC U16 Championship 2018 Qualifiers in Thailand last month also often play together. That way they are get used to playing in international matches in the youth level and they help each other improve,” Mita said.

The game against the Guam All-Stars will also warm up the Teen Ayuyus for the AFC U19 Championship 2018 Qualifiers that will from Oct. 31 to Nov. 8 in Australia. The CNMI squad will go up against Australia, Hong Kong, and North Korea in the Group J qualifier.

“The boys are busy with our training and with their clubs, but they remain focus on the AFC tournament. We are in a tough group so we really have to prove our development. If we play in the Marianas Cup and get good results, that will give the boys the confidence they need for the AFC tournament,” the Teen Ayuyus head coach added.

Mita’s wards will be tested by the selected players from Guam’s Aloha Maid Minetgot Cup Elite Youth League. The Guam All-Stars will be coached by Mark Chargualaf, while Bryan Cadiz will be his assistant.

Meanwhile, the CNMI Women’s U19 National Team will be handled by head coach Luam Khen Koo and his assistants Jimmy Tang and Irish Pagarao, while Catherine Attao-Toves is the squad’s manager.

“We are looking forward to participating in this year’s Marianas Cup. We look forward to tough competition and representing the NMI,” Attao-Toves said.

The CNMI Women’s U19 National Team is made up of Carla Ballesteros, Elaine Enriquez, Jerlyn and Jeralyn Castillo, Anela Duenas, Krizel Tuazon, Gillian Villagomez, Paulynn Joyce, Chloe Salvosa, Guinevere Borja, Diana Maniacop, Dianne Pablo, Sharmaine Francisco, Angelica Carreon, Aira Ngalongalo, Jasmine Phan, and Britanny Wally. The Teen Ayuyus also have an 18-player lineup and it includes John Bucayo, Thaiphi Austria, Louie Calayag, Jonathna Capayas, Alex Park, Carlson Cruzat, Euly James Ermitanio, Sunjoon Tenorio, Clayton Izuka, Hark Joshua Galarion, Ryan Relucio, Joshua Abragan, Anthony Fruit, Mareko Tekopua, John Michael Rojas, and Sebastien Manabat.