Sensyu U beats CNMI training pool, 5-2

A selection from Sensyu University defeated the training pool of the CNMI Men’s National Team, 5-2, in an exhibition game yesterday at the Oleai Sports Complex Field.

Sensyu University’s Keisuke Kimura, right, receives a pass from his teammate, while the CNMI’s Scott Kim looks on during the second half of their exhibition game yesterday at the Oleai Sports Complex Field. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The visiting team used its short, but accurate passing to have more scoring opportunities against the Commonwealth players, who fired blanks as Sensyu University was also quick on defense, frustrating the host’s attackers.

With Sensyu University players knowing when, where, and how to pass the ball, they lit up the board four times in the first half. Shingo Kasai started the visiting squad’s scoring with his shot in the 10th minute and then made an assist to Tomoki Fujiyama for their second goal (22nd) and the lead, 2-1.

The CNMI hit the board earlier than Sensyu University off Joe Miller’s penalty shot in the fifth minute. However, the host team’s hold on the driver’s seat did not last long, as Sensyu began playing as a team with their impressive passing and ball control.

Sensyu went on to score to more goals in the first half after grabbing the lead off Eisuke Nakagawa’s shot in the 23rd minute and Keisuke Kimura’s hit 10 minutes later.

In the second half, Sensyu slowed down a bit, but still continued showing good passes, while the CNMI players made repeated attempts to score. Sean Perez and Joe Miller each had one clear attempt but the former’s was way off right and the latter’s was off to left. They had a few more tries midway in the second half, but was foiled repeatedly as either their defenders blocked the ball or goalie Shunsuke Subue was there for the save.

Back-to-back handballs ended the CNMI’s drought in the second half with Miller, who earlier overshot (way pass the top of the goal) his target off a pass from Scott Kim at the corner, converting the penalty kick in the 80th minute. However, Sensyu got the one goal back in the stoppage time (92nd) also off a penalty kick with Joel Fruit caught charging from the back and hitting Fujiyama, who fell down and got tangled up with CNMI goalie Joshua Galarion. Galarion came in for Ethan Dickinson early in the second half and made a couple of saves.

After the win, selection coach Satoru Takahashi gave credit to his players’ familiarity with each other.

“They’ve been playing together for two years so that’s the reason they knew each other well and have been good in passing the ball,” Takahashi said.

As for the CNMI side, Takahashi said the players are physically tough and play no let up on defense. He also mentioned Perez as one of the good players on the squad, saying the forward is fast and very aggressive on offense.