Even-steven in futsal tournament

Marianas United players pose for a photo before their game in Saipan Soccer School’s 2018 Youth Futsal Tournament at the TSL Sports Complex. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The two co-ed U12 matches in Saipan Soccer School’s 2018 Youth Futsal Tournament last Sunday night at the TSL Sports Complex were so hotly contested that both ended in draws.

In the first game, Tinsel Toes rallied in the second half to force Betde to a standoff, 4-4.

Betde led at halftime, 3-1, as Kaithlynn Chavez, Mark Roque, and Julie Capayas scored. Ruben Guerrero averted a Tinsel Toes’ shutdown in the opening 20 minutes of the game with his lone goal in the match.

Down, but definitely not out, Tinsel Toes picked up its scoring in the second half behind the successive goals of Markus Toves. The Mt. Carmel School student nailed four goals and together with Sean Gil’s conversion, Tinsel Toes tied the match at the end of regulation. Betde failed to keep its lead as it only registered two goals in the second half with Chavez and Roque scoring anew.

In the second game in the division, neither CTSI Petmalu nor Kanoa Ali’i was willing to give in. Han Tae Hyun hit the board for Kanoa Ali’i in the first half, while John Francis Santiago countered for CTSI Petmalu. Then in the second half, Hyun caught fire, drilling a hat trick to match the pair of goals of Carvin Cruzat and one from Nolan Ngewakl.

Despite the draw, CTSI Petmalu remained on top of the team standings in the division (pending results of last night’s game) with its 2-1-0 win-draw-loss record. Betde and Tinsel Toes are tied for second with identical 1-1-1 slates, while Kanoa Ali’i is ranked fourth with its 0-1-2 mark. CTSI Petmalu and Betde played in the lone game in the age group last night and results of their duel were unavailable at press time.

While the matches in the co-ed U12 division resulted in stalemates, it was a different story in the co-ed U15, as the winning teams posted lopsided victories.

Fake Madrid eased past CNMI United, 10-2, to keep its undefeated record (3-0-0, pending the results of its game against Marianas United last night) and the No. 1 rankings in the team standings.

Rintaro Miyawaki led Fake Madrid to its third win in as many games after making three goals. He got a lot of support from his teammates with Kaden Church and Paulynn Joyce contributing two apiece and Blake Mister, Stella McCallion, and Katrina Costales adding one each.

Merrick Toves and Jhoey Nobel recorded the two goals for CNMI United, which remained at third place with its 1-0-2 mark.

Betde United is ranked No. 2 as it improved its record to 2-0-1 after routing Marianas United.

Betde United pounded Marianas United early, as the former dropped nine goals against only one from the latter. Taka Borja was on target for Betde United, knocking in five goals, while Sharmaine Francisco chipped in three, and Ezekiel Canape logged one. Marianas United’s lone goal came from Jim Maniago in the first half, while Betde United added two more in the second, courtesy of Kohtaro Goto and Kristelle Itaas.