NMI, left, and Guam players in action during the Marianas Cup 2023. The rival teams will cross paths anew and this time they will also be battling the Mongolian Women’s National Team in the NMIFA Women’s U21 Three Nations Cup, starting this Tuesday, July 23, at the NMI Soccer Training Center.
(NMIFA) — The Northern Mariana Islands Football Association continues its busy summer schedule, as it hosts the NMIFA Women’s U21 Three Nations Cup, starting this Tuesday, July 23, at the NMI Soccer Training Center.
After hosting Shonan Bellmare of Japan, Tuloy Football Club of the Philippines, and the Chelsea FC Soccer School Hong Kong at the NMISTC for their training camps and friendly matches, the NMIFA this time will welcome the Mongolian Women’s National Team and the Guam Women’ National Team for a double round-robin tournament this week.
Mongolia’s 25-player and official delegation is scheduled to arrive early Monday morning, while Guam, which is also represented by 25 delegates, is slated to touch down Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport on the same day.
The visiting teams’ arrival is in time with the opening match scheduled for July 23 at 6 p.m. when the NMI Women’s National Team gets to face Mongolia.
Mongolia will play back-to-back games early in the week, as it takes on Guam on July 24 at 6 p.m.
The long-time rivalry between the NMI and Guam will be the highlight of the July 25 match at 6pm.
Participating teams will challenge each other twice with the squad with the most points (based on win-draw-loss standings) winning the Three Nations Cup.
“We are excited to welcome Mongolia to our islands for the first time, as their players showcase their skills against our players and in front of our growing local soccer community. We would like to thank the leadership of the Mongolian Football Federation, under President Bold Molomjamts, for this partnership and for bringing their team to the NMI,” NMIFA President Jerry Tan said.
“Guam has been the NMI soccer’s supporter since Day 1 and every time we would like to arrange a tournament or even just a training/friendly match, the Guam Football Association is always there for us. More than our storied Marianas rivalry, we valued our strong partnership with GFA that has allowed to bring where NMI soccer is at now,” the NMIFA president added.
NMIFA General Secretary Ross Zapanta said events like the NMIFA Women’s U21 Three Nations Cup and hosting training camp/matches for Shonan Bellmare, Tuloy FC, and Chelsea, are part of the local association’s efforts to develop the sport, provide opportunities to local players and officials, and show spectators different levels and styles of plays.
Zapanta urged community members to watch this week’s matches “and show our warm Hafa Adai & Tirow welcome to the visiting teams while supporting the NMI Women’s National Team.”
He said after this week’s competition, the NMIFA will host the Marianas Cup with the NMI’s Men’s National Team facing Guam’s Men’s National Team on Aug. 3 and 4.
Schedule
The match schedule for the NMIFA Women’s U21 Three Nations Cup are as follows:
June 23: NMI vs Mongolia – 6 p.m.
June 24: Mongolia vs Guam – 6 p.m.
June 25: NMI vs Guam – 6 p.m.
June 26: Mongolia vs NMI – 6 p.m.
June 27: Guam vs Mongolia – 6 p.m.
June 28: Guam vs NMI – 6 p.m.
