CNMI reaches goal vs Thailand

The CNMI accomplished its goal against Thailand, limiting the ASEAN Football Federation champion to seven goals in their game in the the AFC U19 Championship Bahrain 2016 Qualifiers last Friday night at the SCG Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

CNMI coach Kiyoshi Sekiguchi and his assistant Jershwin Angeles, left, talk while the Teen Ayuyus wait for instructions before their game against Thailand in the AFC U19 Championship Bahrain 2016 Qualifiers last Friday night at the SCG Stadium in Bangkok.
(Contributed Photo)

“We went into the game with a goal of limiting Thailand to eight goals. The team has been improving and is constantly being pushed to work hard and try its best. We had a team meeting before departing for the match. They reviewed some videos, watched highlights of Japan vs Singapore to reference our game plan, and introduced our goal of preventing a goal in the first five minutes of each half and limiting Thailand to one goal every 10 minutes after that,” team manager Ruselle Zapanta said.

The Teen Ayuyus missed its target of preventing the host from scoring early, as midfielder Sorawit Panthong put Thailand on the board in the second minute. However, the Thais’ next two goals were more than 10 minutes apart and the CNMI gave up only four after the first half.

“The first goal was off a free kick, which the boys said was wrongfully called a handball in the second minute of the game,” the team manager said. “The team was set up in a highly defensive manner; 5-4-1 formation with a deeper, tight block in our half of the pitch.”

The CNMI U19 National Team’s new formation had James Ermitanio, Alan Hinson, Jordan Butcher, captain Kennedy Izuka, and Yoshi Mafnas making up the five defenders, Ryan Relucio, Joel Fruit, Hunter Jewell, and Terrence Thosert-Belcher playing the four midfield, and Sean Perez acting as attacking player. Goalkeeper Chris Aninzo completed the Teen Ayuyus’ starting 11. Ryu Tanzawa, Chad Shankweiler, and Wonjun Kim were the substitutes.

“Thailand is the reigning U19 AFF Champions and had majority of possession. We were on our toes the whole time, chasing and tracking the speedy Thais around the pitch. The boys were amazed by Thailand’s passing in tight areas around the players. Fortunately, as directed by the coaches, the boys worked hard and sacrificed their bodies to prevent goals and force bad shots from the Thais,” Zapanta said.

Thailand got its second goal off a break in the 20th minute after an own goal from Thosert-Belcher, while the last two were recorded by forward Anon Amornlertsak and Panthong in the 38th and 45th minute, respectively. Amornlertsak also scored in the second half (67th minute), while the hosts’ other goals came from forwards Wisarut Imura (63rd) and Ritthidet Phensawat (72nd).

“The rest of the goals were highly contested and well earned by the Thais. Christopher made a lot of great saves throughout the night and along with the hard-working team, they prevented what looked to be sure goals. No shots on goal from the boys tonight, but it almost felt like a win for the team by achieving their goal of limiting Thailand to seven goals,” Zapanta said.

Meanwhile, the CNMI was scheduled to play its last game in Group H yesterday against pool leader South Korea (2-0-0).

“Coach Seki (Kiyoshi Sekiguchi) said in our meeting before the game against Korea that the boys are lucky to play against Thailand and Korea, to be in a football-loving country, and play against quality teams in front of a crowd that loves and supports the sport. It is very rare that there are spectators coming out to watch a youth match, so it is a wonderful opportunity and experience for the boys to join this tournament. This will be the final game for the boys and the coaches have urged them to use what they have learned from the previous matches to play a good one against South Korea. Minimize the mistakes and continue to work hard,” Zapanta said.