According to Northern Marianas Islands Football Association general secretary Edward Salas, team CNMI will be pinned against five other EAFF members — Chinese Taipei, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, and Guam.
Representing the NMI are 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.
“We will play the opening match against host country Chinese Taipei,” said Salas in an email to Variety.
“DPR Korea won last year, so they will be a formidable opponent. I believe all of the teams we will face are very skilled and it will be a great experience for our national team to compete against the best U-15’s in the EAFF.”
Salas hopes for better results this year despite the tough challenges. 10 of the 18 NMI representatives are returning members of last year’s 15U National Team.
“We have a little experience, but our team is still a young team. Most likely, we will play teams whose players are all 14 and 15 years old,” he added.
Due to the hot and humid weather, the tournament will utilize three venues for all games — the Taipei Municipal Stadium, BaiLing Riverside Sports Park, and YingFung Riverside Sports Park A&B.
Team NMI’s opening game against Chinese Taipei is scheduled for July 20. Round robin games continue until July 24, with team NMI facing Macau in their final match.
The group will leave Saipan on July 16 and stop by Japan. There, they will meet with Jewell, who is currently training in Germany. The team will conduct a two-day mini-camp during their stay, where they will face 15U players from Yokohama Football Club, Jef United Chiba, and Tamadai-Meguro Jr. High School.
The boys will also witness two professional soccer matches under the Japan Soccer League.
“This will be an awesome experience for the boys. Almost all of the boys have never seen a live professional soccer match. What an opportunity for them – a lifetime soccer experience,” said Salas.
The 15U National Team will head to Taipei City on July 18 with Salas serving as the NMIFA head official and team manager. Jersh Angeles will serve as assistant coach and Kentaro Imaya and Carrie Schuler will serve as NMIFA officials.
“Our NT has been working very hard and we are very proud of them representing NMIFA and the CNMI,” noted Salas.
