MP United, TanHoldings keep Top 2 spots

TanHoldings Football Club’s James Ermitanio, left, tries to advance to ball, while Paire FC’s Trey Dunn attempts to move closer on defense during their Division A game in the 2018 Spring M-League last Sunday at the Hopwood Middle School Field. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

MP United Football Club and TanHoldings are still undefeated as they nosed out their respective opponents in the 2018 Spring M-League last Sunday at the Hopwood Middle School Field.

MP United shut down the Teen Ayuyus in the first game, 2-0, to gain a 5-0-0 win-draw-loss record and keep the lead in Division A. Not far behind MP United is the second-running TanHoldings, which improved to a 4-1-0 slate following a 4-2 triumph over Paire FC in the final match in the triple-header last weekend.

Martin Jambor lifted TanHoldings to its fourth win after scoring a hat trick. He made back-to-back goals after finding the back of the net in the 40th and 51st minute, while his last came in the 82nd. Joshua Galarion registered the other goal for TanHoldings in the 69th minute, while Daniel Agulto and Jonathan Takano hit the board for Paire in the 32nd and 56th.

Despite the loss, Paire (2-1-2) is still in third place in the team standings of the seven-squad division, but just slightly ahead of the Teen Ayuyus (1-3-2).

MP United handed the Teen Ayuyus their second loss after Anthony Fruit and Sunjoon Tenorio scored for the division leader in the 21st and 22nd minute.

In other results in the division, Kanoa (0-2-3) forced a draw against Winners & Pacific Eco., 3-3.

Ian Maniao nailed the equalizer for Kanoa in the 73rd minute, while Merrick Toves knocked in the pair of goals for the squad, as he found his target right in the first minute and did it again in the 20th.

Joe Miller duplicated Toves’ brace, as the former CNMI National Team player scored in the fifth and 31st minute. Junsik Kim’s goal in the 50th gave Winners & Pacific Eco. (0-2-3) the shaky lead before Maniago tied the match anew.

DIVISION B
KFAS 6, Shirley’s 0
Korean Football Association on Saipan stayed on top after easing past Shirley’s at the Koblerville Elementary School Field.

Juan Oh powered KFAS to its sixth win in as many games after logging three goals. Chong Ko Gil and Edwin Kim added one goal each for the division-leading team.

U16 WNT 5, PIC 4
In the second game, the CNMI U16 Women’s National Team edged Pacific Islands Club.

Janelle Chognaki had four goals for the U16 WNT, including the go-ahead in the 79th minute. She made her first three goals in succession, while Sue Ann Huevas recorded the other goal for the U16 WNT, which moved up to third place behind KFAS and Matansa (4-1-1) with its 3-1-2 card. PIC is at the bottom of the standings after falling to a 0-1-5 slate.

Matansa 5, Sun Palace 1
Matansa retained the second spot in the rankings after beating Sun Palace.

Amzad Khan registered a pair of goals for Matansa, which drew one each from Travis Camacho, Jacob Montes-Sabino, and Kamrul Kamrul.
Jack Phan scored the lone goal for Sun Palace (2-1-3).