By James Sablan
james@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
THE NMI U15 Boys National Team concluded their journey at the EAFF U15 Championship 2025 on Monday, leaving the pitch with their heads held high after a disciplined, scoreless draw against longtime rivals Guam, 0-0, at the Hooray International Football Training Base in Zhangzhou, China.
The tournament finale saw NMI face Guam in a match that prioritized discipline over desperation. Defensively solid and committed in every challenge, NMI went toe-to-toe with their opponents, neutralizing key plays and securing a clean sheet to end the tournament.
In a heartfelt statement on social media, the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association emphasized that the trip was a success beyond the win-loss column.
“This journey was about more than results — it was about growth, learning, and giving our young players the chance to experience football at a higher level,” the association shared. “The experience gained on this trip is invaluable — because experience is everything in opportunities like these.”
Despite bowing 10-0 to Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) in their opening match and losing 2-0 to Macau in their second, NMI showed growth, maturity, and focus, finishing their final match against Guam as equals.
While the tournament scoreboard may reflect the steep learning curve of international football, NMI’s narrative was one of undeniable progress, defensive grit, and a refusal to back down against the region’s elite — improving with each competition.
James Sablan has been a sports reporter for Variety since 2013. He was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College and covers all local sports.
