THE NMI U23 Men’s National Soccer Team concluded its AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers campaign with a 6-0 loss to Timor-Leste during their third and final match of the tournament in China on Wednesday.
NMI started strong, holding their own for the first 30 minutes of action. But fatigue gradually set in, allowing Timor-Leste to score twice in the 37th and 45th minutes, leaving NMI trailing 2-0 at halftime.
Timor-Leste solidified their victory in the second half, continuing to capitalize on NMI’s exhaustion. Despite NMI’s efforts, four more goals followed in the 81st, 83rd, 87th, and 90+4th minutes to end the match 6-0.
NMI previously lost to Australia 14-0 and to China 10-0.
In a social media post, the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association stated: “While the scoreline wasn’t in our favor, every match in this tournament was a step forward in our journey of growth and development on the international stage,” continuing, “Tournaments like these are about more than results — they’re about learning, improving, and discovering what it takes to compete against some of the best in Asia. Every challenge faced, every lesson gained, and every ounce of effort put in will serve as a building block for the future of football in the Marianas.”
NMI’s Dev Bachani dribbles past defenders during a match against Timor-Leste at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers in China on Wednesday.
The NMI U23 Men’s National Team members pose for a group photo before their match against Timor-Leste at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers in China on Wednesday.
Asian Football Confederation photo
