Team CNMI went off to a slow start after falling to Chinese Taipei, 18-0 in the East Asian Football Federation 15-and-under Youth Tournament’s opening game at the Taipei Municipal Stadium in Taipei City, Taiwan last Wednesday.
“Team CNMI battled throughout the game against Chinese Taipei while primarily focusing on their defensive tactics,” said Northern Marianas Islands Football Association official Carrie Schuler in an email to Marianas Variety.
Their loss doesn’t mean the end, however.
They will play the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea today, team Guam tomorrow, and team Macau on Sunday. The CNMI strikers also faced Hong Kong yesterday, but results were not available during press time.
The tournament will utilize three venues for the event, which also includes the BaiLing Riverside Sports Park and YingFung Riverside Sports Park A&B.
Meanwhile, Jones hopes for better results.
“I’m disappointed, but we still have to get ready for our next games,” he said.
“The team is looking forward to their remaining schedule in the next four days,” stated Schuler.
Korea, which claimed last year’s title, will be “a formidable opponent” according to NMIFA general secretary and team manager Ed Salas.
Also joining them were assistant coach Jersh Angeles and Kentaro Imaya.
This year’s CNMI national team includes: Jordan Butcher, Enrico Del Rosario, Ethan Dickinson, Kenneth Domingo, Gregzon Fontanilla, Joel and Mason Fruit, Dakota Hall, William Hinson II, Kennedy Izuka, Hunter Jewell, Andrew Johnson, Angelo Jones, Jehn Joyner, Jake Lee, Sean Perez, John Taisacan, and Jirech Yobech.
The group had earlier stopped by Japan for a two-day mini camp after leaving Saipan on July 16.
