Suplex City edges ABCD FC

Players of the Kensington Hotel-backed Suplex City gather for a group photo before their game against ABCD FC in the co-ed U18 division of Saipan Soccer School’s 2018 Youth Futsal Tournament last Sunday at the TSL Sports Complex. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Kensington Hotel-backed Suplex City nosed out ABCD FC, 3-2, for its debut win in the co-ed U18 division of Saipan Soccer School’s 2018 Youth Futsal Tournament last Sunday at the TSL Sports Complex.

Katrina Costales scored Suplex City’s lone goal in the second half to help her team withstand ABCD FC’s comeback bid. Suplex City was ahead, 2-0, at the start of the 20-minute second half, thanks to Alex Park’s pair of goals.

ABCD FC then threatened Suplex City when Anela Duenas and Paulyn Joyce found the back of the net. However, Costales’ goal proved to be the difference in Suplex City’s close win. Joining Costales and Park on the Kensington-supported team are Oliver Lee, Sebastien Manabat, Edwin Kim, Rintaro Miyawaki, Jerlyn Castillo, Therize Millare, and Esther Jones.

On the ABCD FC side, Duenas and Joyce’s teammates include Krizel Tuazon, Dai and Lilian Podziewski, Jonah Pohl, Clayton Izuka, Merrick Toves, Juan Sanchez, and Kirt And on.

Kim was Suplex City’s goalie and made 12 saves, while Toves was the former’s counterpart at ABCD FC with the latter tallying 21 saves.

In other results in the division, CTSI Petmalu and Bruv had easier victories.

Bruve clobbered La Fabrica, 9-0, behind the three goals of Guine Borja. Gillain Villagomez and John Michael Rojas added two apiece, while Alan Hinson and Mareko Tekopua contributed one each. John Bucayo was Bruv’s goalie in the team’s first game and recorded 14 saves, while other members of the winning squad are Grace Choi, James Ermitanio, Eun Syu Hahn, and Emmanuel Aniana.

Jason Quimzon and Jonathan Mindanao combined for 26 saves for La Fabrica, which also has Brandon Tenorio, Kiara Manganti, Leisha Sally, Jacob Montes, Jeffrey Seo, Joshua Malih, Hannah Santos, and Ian Maniago on its roster.

Meanwhile, CTSI Petmalu led the opening day winners in the division after a 5-1 triumph over Islanders FC in the curtain-raiser in the co-ed U18 age group.

Britany Wally, Diana Maniacop, Louie Calayag, Joshua De Leon, and Joshua Abragan knocked in one goal apiece for CTSI Petmalu, while only Taka Borja hit the board for Islanders FC.

After its debut loss, Islanders FC was hoping to bounce back last night as it was scheduled to duel La Fabrica. Two more matches were played last night at the resumption of action in the 14-team tournament. In the co-ed U12, Betde faced Kanoa Ali’I, while in the co-ed U15, it was CNMI United versus Marianas United.

Three games are also set for tomorrow with CTSI Petmalu colliding against Tinsel Toes in the co-ed U12 division at 5:30pm; Fake Madrid challenging Betde United in the U15 tiff at 6:30pm; and CTSI Petmalu going for win No. 2 against ABCD FC at 7:30pm.

Tournament organizers will then revert to their seven-game schedule this Sunday with two matches each in the U12 and U15 and three in the U18.