By Jonathan V. Perez
Variety News Staff

THE Northern Mariana Islands Football Association’s bid to gain membership in the East Asian Football Federation got a huge boost, after the CNMI was invited to play a two-game series against Guam with the winner earning a slot in the EAFF Championships.
The tentative schedule will have the CNMI visiting Guam on March 25 with the series to be completed with Saipan hosting Guam on April 1. Both games will be played on a Sunday.
The winner will advance to the next round of the championships with the final four teams competing in China in February 2008 for the title.
“This event will mark the beginning of the Men’s National team in the (CNMI),” said Tan. “It is an honor to be accepted into the world’s fraternity of football nations and marks a big step forward for the NMIFA.”
“Although we are a young association, we will do our best to represent the Commonwealth with fair play and hard work. Additionally, we will make every effort to be good hosts to our friends from the Guam Football Association.”
The EAFF invited the NMIFA to join the group in December. Other EAFF members include China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, North Korea, Guam, South Korea, Macau and Mongolia.
All are members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the world governing body of the sport. There are 206 FIFA-member nations that field a men’s team.
A home and away game in a series, in international football matches, is often used in tournaments to determine who advances to the next round. Aggregate goals determine the winner with away goals weighing more in the event in case of a tie.
NMIFA Men’s Open League coordinator Vince Stravino was overjoyed upon hearing the news. “We had been hearing this rumor for a few weeks and now it is official.”
“It is difficult to put into perspective how meaningful this event is not only to the sport (of football) on the island but to the world family of football playing nations.”
“It is a rare occurrence that a nation is given the honor and privilege of fielding a new team,” said Stravino.
Preparations are underway to form a team for the competition with eligible players being drawn from the current men’s league teams. Players must hold a US passport and have lived in the CNMI for more than six months.
All interested players are welcome to try out and train for the team. A volunteer professional coach from the US is being recruited and should arrive on Saipan in February to assist and mange the National squad.
EAFF and GFA officials will also arrive on Saipan in the second week of February to inspect the possible playing venue for the international match.
“In most parts of the world, the entire country comes to a halt when the national team is playing. During one World Cup match it was estimated that 90 percent of televisions in Ireland were tuned in every time their national team played,” said Stravino.
“Win, lose or draw, the NMIFA hopes to field a team that will demonstrate the sportsmanship and drive that makes this island unique and special. It should be a great day of celebration for everyone who calls (the CNMI) their home.”
“I am really hoping for a wonderful crowd to cheer on the teams. It is an unbelievable task as the (GFA) has been at this for nearly thirty years and we are just starting out,” said Stravino.
“But we will make every effort to make people proud of their heritage and home.”