By James Sablan
james@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
THE NMI U17 Women’s National Team completed its campaign in the first round of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026 Qualifiers in Group E, showcasing resilience and a positive spirit despite losses to formidable regional powerhouses such as Australia and host nation Singapore. The matches were held Tuesday and Wednesday at Bishan Stadium in Singapore.
NMI opened its campaign scoreless, suffering a 22-0 loss to one of the group favorites, Australia. The match was a harsh introduction to international competition. However, the team’s focus was not solely on the result. According to a social media post from the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association, the players “stayed strong and resilient, encouraging each other, and keeping their heads up,” viewing the loss as a crucial learning experience for their next challenge.
Their second match, against host nation Singapore on Wednesday, ended in an 11-0 defeat. Despite the final score, NMI’s commentary emphasized the team’s positive spirit and commitment. In a social media post, the association shared, “It was a tough match against our host Singapore, and it tested the determination of our U17 Women’s National Team. Our players showed resilience and fought hard until the final whistle. The experience offered valuable lessons and growth for our young squad, and we remain proud of their positive spirit and commitment to representing the NMI with heart.”
Even with back-to-back losses, these matches represent crucial steps in measuring the team’s progress against established football nations — a primary goal of participating in the qualifiers.
Led by head coach Luam Khen Koo, the NMI U17 Women’s National Team is composed mostly of players making their first appearance in an AFC tournament. Competing in Group E alongside top-tier opponents like Australia and Singapore provides unparalleled exposure and experience in international football.
