Guam quiets NMI, 3-0

The NMI U15 Women’s National Soccer Team wrapped up the EAFF Fifa Forward Programme EAFF U15 Women’s Championship 2024 with a loss to rival Guam, 0-3, in Dalian, China last Friday.

It was in stark contrast to their rain-soaked game against Hong Kong, China, last Tuesday, as it was hot and bright last Friday.

The NMI and Guam’s intensity on the pitch matched the heat of the day with both teams giving it their all to gain the early upper hand. The NMI had a few attacks at the net which came up short, but a good assist by Guam from the midfield gave Iliana Figueroa a chance to make a run for it and get them on the board in the seventh minute.

The match went on as the NMI tried to even it up, but Guam’s keeper, Ahe Kaee, proved formidable at the net as she didn’t allow any goals to slip past her. Time crept on with no further goals from both teams, but toward the end, Guam’s Kylie Guzman found an opening in the 61st minute to make it 2-0.

Guam wasn’t done attacking as Figueroa slipped another goal past NMI keeper Hailey Benavente just two minutes later, to put them up by three. Then, despite a last-minute push to the net, the NMI still failed to get on board and settled for the 0-3 final as time ran out.

With their loss, the NMI racked up a 0-1-3, win-draw-loss record.

In their debut of the tourney last Aug. 16, the NMI lost to Macau, 1-2, and ended in a scoreless, 0-0 draw against Mongolia last Aug. 18. Their second loss was against Hong Kong, 0-8, last Tuesday.

The NMI team was made up of Hailey Benavente, Alyssaa Borlongan, Mataina Reyes, Elyza Brillo, Jade Pascual, Orica George, Aira Daca, Cassidee Flores, Beatrice Gross, Angel Calayag, Alyssa Brasuell, Stacy Arriola, Miley Mafnas, Iris Rasa, Talina Aguon-McClure, Aubrey White, Va’aina Reyes, Rhodalyn Zandueta, Maya Jung, and Kaye Anne Costales.

The team officials include head of delegation Luam Khen Koo, head coach Chi Ming Tang, assistant coaches Mae Ito and Ronnel Ocanada, team manager Bernadette Horey, assistant team manager Yu Hung Lee, and physiotherapist Hazel Mabasa.

The Guam team including Figueroa, Guzman, and Kaee, was made up of Charlie Mesa, Elyse Concepcion, Allyana Li, Emme Ettleman, Kirida Mendiola, Khae’ly Olpindo, Gabriella Flores, Anaia Malaca, Hayden Wilson, Isabella Su, Aliana Meno, Hope Hutapea, Aeva Sablan, Tianna Magday, Isa Losongco, Saya Green, and Marion Finney.

Published by Saipan Tribune - Aug 26, 2024