By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

THE Northern Mariana Islands Football Association will be holding a series of tryouts for the Men’s National Team starting tomorrow at the Oleai Sports Complex.
Tryout coordinator Vince Stravino said that players who are chosen in the trials will be representing the NMI in a tournament against Guam.
At stake in the tournament is an entry to the East Asian Football Federation Championships.
The NMI and Guam will be playing two games to determine the owner of the slot in the EAFF Championships, which will take place in February next year in China.
Guam will be hosting the first tournament on March 25, while Guam will be visiting its neighboring island on April 1 for the second match.
The winner of the NMI-Guam tiff will have a chance to play against teams from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Macau and Mongolia.
“All interested athletes are welcome to join the tryouts. They should come prepared to
play with their running shoes, soccer shoes, shinguards and a personal supply of
water. Previous experience in soccer is desired, but not mandatory,” Stravino said.
The tryout will start at 4:30 p.m.
This will be the first time that a Men’s National Team will be formed to compete in an international tournament.
Expected to join the trials are the players who participated in the inaugural Marco Alonso Cup/Men’s Open League, which concluded last Sunday.
Eight teams joined the first-ever Men’s Open League with L&S/Kyung-Seung winning the championship after beating Real Mariana in a shootout, 3-2.
Other teams that competed in the Alonso Cup were Fiesta Inter, Korean One, Onwel, PTI Guardians, Alliance and Independents.
For more information on the trials, contact Stravino at vincestravino@yahoo.com.