NMI players, coach recount lessons learned

Players and officials of the CNMI Boys U15 National Team pose for a photo after beating Macau, 2-1, in the 2011 East Asian Football Federation U15 Youth Tournament in Chinese-Taipei. (Contributed Photo)

On top of their historic feat, CNMI players were grateful for the lessons they learned after the celebrated 2-1 victory over Macau in the 2011 East Asian Football Federation U15 Youth Tournament in Chinese-Taipei.

Billy Hinson said that these lessons proved to be valuable until now that they are building their career path.

“That game and that win taught me a lot about trust. You’ve got to trust the guy next to you. I am in the U.S. Marine Corps now and I’ve got to trust the people to my left and right. They will keep me alive, they will help me,” said Hinson, as he joined teammates Jehn Joyner, Kennedy Izuka, Kenneth Domingo, Hunter Jewell, Enrico Del Rosario, and Jireh Yobech and coach Jersh Angeles in Footcast with Norman last Saturday.

Jake Lee leads the CNMI’s attack in their game against Chinese-Taipei, while Jireh Yobech, right, tries to catch up. (Contributed Photo)

For Domingo, who is also in the U.S. Marine Corps, the losses that piled up (versus Chinese-Taipei, 0-18; against Hong Kong, 0-15; opposite Korea, 0-22; and over Guam, 0-3, plus the training games against Japanese teams) before they defeated Macau made him realize he can beat self-frustration by playing better and believing in himself.

“I was so frustrated with how bad I’ve been playing. But then after that, I told myself I am better that what I think. I can do it and will push harder. A lot of us, we decide our own path, chase our ambitions and continue our pursuit no matter what,” Domingo said.

CNMI players enjoy a light moment on the bench before playing against North Korea. (Contributed Photo)

Yobech echoed Domingo’s thoughts, saying you should never have self-doubt.

“I was doubting myself if I will be able to compete after those losses so before the Macau game, I was so pretty nervous. I was even discouraged by my own game,” Yobech said.

However, after the pep talk with head coach Kiyoshi Sekiguchi and how he kept his faith on the team and the hard work they put in before the tournament, Yobech regained his confidence and proved himself wrong.

The CNMI Boys U15 National Team’s starters gather for a photo before their game against Macau in the 2011 East Asian Football Federation U15 Youth Tournament in Chinese-Taipei. (Contributed Photo)

Izuka, who admitted responsibility for conceding the goal to Macau, said that match along with the other games they played with the CNMI national team, win or lose, is also about trying.

“We can and we could if we try,” said Izuka, who is now in California to finish his college degree.

Meanwhile, Angeles saw the victory over Macau as a sign to continue what he started.

“I did not stop coaching. The win made me feel that I can do more and help develop the grassroots program. This team (first win in any international tournament for the CNMI) started it all, its victory gave us hope and we will hold on to that, we will continue our progress,” said Angeles, who now assists Northern Mariana Islands Football Association technical director and CNMI Men’s National Team head coach Michiteru Mita.