KANOA 1, MP United 1 & 2, and Matansa football clubs have secured their spots in the U14 boys division final four of the TakeCare Youth Soccer League after the conclusion of the matches on Saturday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.
Kanoa 1 maintained an undefeated record in the regular season by notching their sixth win when they defeated the Matansa Football Club, 2-1.
It was an even match between the two teams but KNFC 1’s more aggressive takes separated them from their adversary.
After 15 minutes of play, KNFC 1 started to overwhelm MFC with constant offensive pushes that created an opening for Akoni Matsumoto who connected the opening goal at the 16th minute mark for a 1-0 lead.
The game went silent for the rest of the first half and midway through the second, but was filled with back-and-forth action.
At the 42nd minute mark, MFC opened fire as they took advantage of the quick shift in momentum that allowed Ezekiel Meneses to find the back of the net and even the score, 1-1.
But KNFC 1 quickly answered with Matsumoto’s second goal of the game to regain control. They then held their ground to triumph, 2-1, and earn the number one seed.
Blue vs Pink
MP United FC Blue also tasted victory by outplaying MP United FC Pink, 7-5.
MPU Blue quickly found their footing in the opening half as Seo Yeom connected the first two goals at the 4th and 7th minute marks while Kanoa Owens followed up with their team’s third goal at the 10th minute mark. Yeom then completed a hat-trick with his third goal a minute later for a 4-0 advantage.
MPU Pink managed to fight back and scored two goals, but Yeom added another goal for MPU Blue at the 15th minute mark for a comfortable 5-2 spread.
MPU Pink opened the second half with Taiga Namai-Scoggins’ second goal, adding two more goals later. However, MPU Blue’s Yeom delivered two goals to seal the deal, 7-5.
The semifinals will begin on May 6 with Kanoa FC 1 facing off MPU 2 at 1:30 p.m. followed by the match between MFC and MPU 1 at 2:35 p.m.
A Kanoa Football Club player and a Matansa Football Club player battle for the possession during a U14 boys division game of the TakeCare Youth Soccer League at the NMI Soccer Training Center.
