CNMI U18 tops Japanese team

The CNMI drew first blood in its two exhibition games against Japan Soccer College after the host’s U18 national team eked out a 2-1 victory in last Tuesday’s friendly at the Oleai Sports Complex Field.

The CNMI U18 National Team’s Sean Perez, third from left, steps in the play to receive a pass, while teammate Joel Fruit, right, looks on during the second half of their exhibition game against Japan Soccer College last Tuesday at the Oleai Sports Complex Field. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Sean Perez rose to the occasion for the home team, drilling the pair of goals, including a difficult one in the second half that gave the Blue Ayuyus the lead and fired up spectators fighting the cold conditions in the game played on a chilly night.

Perez’s second goal came off Scott Kim’s assist, as the latter kicked the ball forward from way past the right midfield. The long kick dropped ahead of a Japan Soccer College player, but Perez outsprinted him and got the possession. After passing one defender, Perez came face to face with goalie Akin Yamashita, who rushed into the former’s direction, trying to catch the ball. However, Perez was quick to shift gears, passing the ball to his left to avoid Yamashita.

Yamashita went down after his futile defensive stop and was nowhere in sight when Perez, despite the difficult angle he was into, used his left foot to cross the ball in.

“At the time, all I can think of is keep dribbling and passing the ball. When I saw him (goalie) coming at me, I knew I had to shift directions. I managed to evade him, but it was really a difficult angle, so I had to use my left foot to get the ball in. My right foot is my primary so it was really hard to get that in, but fortunately I did it. Thanks to Scott for the pass and for my teammates for playing tough defense on the other end,” said Perez, who drove in the dagger in the 63rd minute.

He scored his first goal in the 25th after an errant pass from the visiting team, as he also outsprinted his defender and went for a forward shot. Two minutes later Japan got its first goal to end the first half in a deadlock.

In the second half, both teams were pretty even on possessions with Japan Soccer College getting two free kicks early in that period, but failed to cash in. The visiting squad also made some corner kicks, but the Blue Ayuyus’ defense was always there to frustrate the visiting squad.

On offense, the CNMI bets just waited for the breaks with Perez often loitering past the center, waiting for passes from his teammates. On at least three occasions, his teammates managed to get him the ball, but Perez was either hounded by a phalanx of defenders or Yamashita stepped in to spoil the party.

The needed break finally came near the 20-minute mark of the second half as Japan Soccer College’s defense was concentrated on the other side of the pitch, leaving Perez open for a foot race against only one defender before the last line of defense—Yamashita—also failed to stop the CNMI forward.

Joining Perez and Kim on the winning squad were goalies Joshua Galarion and Chris Aninzo, Evan Belcher, Saixian Bagsic, Carlon Cruzat, Enrico Del Rosario, Joel Fruit, Kennedy Izuka, Jehn Joyner, Won Jun Kim, Yoshi and Kenneth Mafnas, John Masga, Dakota Hall, Reniel and Ryan Relucio, Greg Sbalan, John Taisacan, Ryu Tanzawa, Glenn Vidal, and Jireh Yobech.

Northern Mariana Island Football Association technical director Kiyoshi Sekiguchi coached the Blue Ayuyus with Jershwin Angeles assisting him.

“It was a good game as we were able to capitalize on some opportunities given to us. Sean used his speed advantage in those plays and our defense held on,” Sekiguchi said.

Sekiguchi will also lead a selection of players that will play another exhibition game against the same Japan Soccer College crew today at 5:30pm at the Oleai pitch.

Meanwhile, the visiting team raffled off jerseys to spectators. The winners list is as follows: Jera Castillo, Cosmos Kim, Jasper Vandermaas, Tiana Q., Pin Shankweiler, Taka Borja, Kirt Andon, Kosuke Sato, Christy Villaflor, Erlinda Shimizu, Raphael Zapanta, Wes Bogdan, Seung Mock Yuu, Jenny-Ann V. C. , Lovely Loyola, Julie Ann, Carla Ballesteros, James Ermitanio, Lyka Sally, Ras Saimon, JC Piring, JC Ferrari, Reniel Relucio, Camille Limon, Leisha Sally, Rizza Relucio, Jack Phan, Daniell Pablo, Francisco Sablan, Gillian Villagomez, Neeka Atalig, Risa Sekiguchi, Eric Abragan, Thecel Minor, Dindo Pablo, Ann McMahon , Won-Kwan, Christel Aninzo, Jude Tengco, Mary Joy Aniana, Mycah Yobech, Tommy Kim, Amanda Agulto, Piling Terlaje , F. Calayag, Ichiro Borja, Jose C. , Karleen, Cheska Bucalig, and Ciaralyn Apostol.

Prizes can be claimed at the pitch today and winners must present their tickets.