Old B Bank atop MSL 2 with undefeated record
Old B Bank currently leads the Marianas Soccer League 2 with 10 wins, one draw, and no losses.
In their game last May 8, they notched their 10th win after they silenced Shirley’s Football Club, 4-0, at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.
Shirley’s were looking to gain their second win of the season, but going up against a formidable opponent that leads the standings, it was a tall order. However, their defense held strong in the first half and managed to silence Old B Bank strikers the whole time. Shirley’s also failed to produce, but there was still time in the second half.
Old B Bank though, couldn’t be kept at bay any longer. The floodgates opened in the 53rd when John Canape found the back of the net and put them up, 1-0. Just two minutes later, he scored their second goal for a now 2-nil matchup.
Shirley’s now had to play catchup but Old B Bank’s momentum continued to propel them forward. In the 74th minute, Lin Xiao Feng widened their lead to three goals, while Canape completed his hat-trick just three minutes later.
Their four goals were more than enough to seal their 10th victory as Shirley’s offense stalled until time ran out.
Last Friday, Paire and Hana ended in a stalemate, 2-2.
It was an equal matchup throughout, but Paire had the advantage first. Bryan Anderson broke the ice 10 minutes in while Hana was still getting their feet wet. Paire kept the 1-0 lead deep into the game as Hana strikers continued to fail to convert goals.
When it seemed like all was lost for Hana, Scott Kim found an opening and shot it through to tie the matchup, 1-1, in the 66th minute. It was better late than never and soon Hana took the lead from Paire’s grasp as Kim followed it up with another goal in the 76th minute.
Paire had to make a play quickly and Anderson did just that four minutes later for another tie, 2-2. Both teams duked it out on the pitch for the deciding goal to no avail as time expired.
Last Monday, Kanoa slipped past MP United, 2-1.
Kanoa’s Donnie Fejeran went straight to business as he put them up on the board just four minutes into the match. MP United quickly scrambled their way on the board and tied it up in the 17th by way of Ensan Cui.
Missed opportunities from both ends and long exchanges left them at a stalemate through the duration of the first half and well into the second. Finally, Cui kicked the tie-breaking goal in the 70th minute but it was too late for MP United to tie it up as Kanoa's defense held steadfast until time ran out.
In the standings after Old B Bank is Kanoa with a 9-2-1 record; Hana is 5-3-3; Paire is in the middle of the pack at 5-1-5; Matansa has a 3-1-7 record; MPU is 1-2-8; and Shirley’s have won just one game and lost 10.
Published by Saipan Tribune - May 17, 2024
