Macau edges NMI, 2-1

THE NMI Women’s U15 National Team lost to Macau, 1-2, in the East Asian Football Federation U15 Women’s Championship 2024 at the Dalian Football Youth Training Centre in China on Friday.

Opening day jitters may have affected the NMI as Macau controlled the pace throughout the first 10 minutes of play.

The NMI played aggressively with several attempted shots, but these were overshadowed by Macau’s defensive efforts. After several defensive stops, Macau eventually turned one into an offensive press, which caught the NMI off guard and left an opening for Hio Tou to slip in an uncontested shot at the 17th minute mark.

Down 0-1, the NMI made the proper adjustments and substitutions with Jade Pascual, Angel Calayag, and Miley Mafnas at the frontline.

At the 35th minute mark, the NMI’s scoring attempt was denied by Macau’s goalkeeper. Although she secured the ball, it was still in play. The NMI’s Aubrey White closed in and was able to kick the ball out of the goalie’s grasp to even the score, 1-1.

In the second half, the back-and-forth action continued, but Macau got deeper and deeper within NMI territory and, at the 61st minute mark, Sam Lok found the back of the net to give Macau the lead, 2-1.

The NMI fought back, but was left empty-handed as time ran out.

Published by Saipan Tribune - Aug 19, 2024