Paire, Saipan United take lead

Saipan United’s Mark Esalan keeps control of the ball during an earlier game in the Marianas Soccer League 2 last week at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville. Esalan scored three goals in Southern United’s 5-3 win over Island Star last Friday. (Contributed photo)
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Paire Football Club and Saipan United took the early lead in their respective divisions in the Marianas Soccer League Summer Season 2021 after recording wins last Sunday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.

Paire nipped TanHoldings Football Club, 2-1, to notch its second victory in as many games and move to solo first place in the team standings in MSL. Paire made both goals in the second half to steal the win from TanHoldings, which drew first blood off a goal from Ronnel Ocanada in the opening half. Jireh Yobech and Ryuto Yanai delivered the pair of goals for Paire in the second half.

In MSL 2, Saipan United also nailed its second win in three games and took the top spot in the team standings of the eight-squad division after outshining Island Star, 5-3.

Mark Esalan powered Saipan United past Island Star after scoring four goals in succession. Michael James Denevan tallied the other goal for Saipan United right in the first minute of the match before Esablan had his string of goals in the fifth, 32nd, 39th, and 49th minute.

Island Star, which absorbed its first loss after getting a victory and a draw in its first two matches.

NMI Women NT 5, Shirley’s 3
In last Friday’s game in the MSL 2, the NMI Women’s National Team broke into the win column after settling for a draw in its season debut.

Jannah Casarino had a hat trick to lead the NMI WNT’s victory. She found the back of the net in the 25th, 26th, and 37th minute, while Summer Manahane and Kaithlyn Chavez posted the last two after hitting the board in the 42nd and 52nd minute, respectively.

Three different players also scored in a losing effort for Shirley’s. Jack Phan Hojin Woo, and Xin Wen Jin lit up the board for Shirley’s in the third, 31st, and 46th minute.

Bangladesh Youth 4, Bangladesh FC 2

Bangladesh Youth also got its victory of the season after topping Bangladesh FC.

Isaiah Hossain had a pair of goals for Bangladesh Youth, while Rassel Rassel and Shukqur Ali chipped in one apiece.

Bangladesh FC drew its twin goals from Md. Soheil Akanda.

MP United 2, Old B Bank 1

In the other game in MSL last Sunday, MP United edged the Old B Bank to bounce back from its season opening defeat.

After yielding a goal to Old B Bank’s John Canape in the 28th minute, MP United managed to fight back, thanks to Yoshi Mafnas and Skyler Poon, who hit their targets in the 51st and 80th minute, respectively.

TanHoldings 5, Old B Bank 1

TanHoldings earlier handed Old B Bank a loss last Friday.

Brandon Tenotio, Martin Jambor, Reginal Pascual, Joshua Waldo, and Xiong Zhe Li contributed one goal apiece for TanHoldings, while only Rex De Jose scored for the winless Old B Bank.