THE NMI soccer players ended their training on Guam with a bang by beating the host teams Wednesday at the Guam Football Association National Training Center in Dededo.
In a friendly match, the NMI Women’s U18 National Team overpowered Guam, 4-0.
At first, both teams played as equals in a scoreless first half.
In the second half, however, the NMI found their rhythm and moved the ball to create several shot opportunities. The visiting team was finally rewarded for its efforts when Pia Ngewakl sank a goal at the 46th minute mark to give the NMI the lead, 1-0.
A second NMI goal was added in less than 10 minutes as Allyssya Angeles took the spotlight.
Four minutes later, she scored again to widen the NMI lead, 3-0.
Guam managed to stop the bleeding and aimed to turn the tide with a late-game rally. However, the NMI regained control of the possession and 15 minutes later, Kaithlyn Chavez found the back of the net to seal her team’s victory against Guam, 4-0.
“The camp was a good opportunity for the younger kids,” NMI women’s coach Irish Pagarao said. “They had fun and were able to experience high-level competition off-island and I’m sure they learned a lot from it and I’m hoping they will continue learning.”
In their two previous friendly games against Guam, the NMI women won one and drew the other.
Redemption for the men
The NMI U20 Men’s National Team, which had yet to win a friendly game against Guam, finally found redemption Wednesday as they toppled the host U17 team, 4-1.
The NMI took an early lead thanks to Dev Bachani’s goal at the 16th minute mark.
Guam eventually slipped through the NMI defense, allowing Levi Burg to even the score 1-1 by halftime.
In the second half, however, the NMI worked harder with Markus Toves acting as the spark plug and scoring at the 51st minute mark.
The NMI then managed to again set up Toves who scored his second goal just six minutes later with an assist by teammate Taka Borja’s pass off a free kick.
Even the NMI goalie, Merrick Toves, contributed to his team’s scoring onslaught with a long ball to Richard Steele who then delivered the NMI’s fourth goal.
“It was a very good training camp, as we had the opportunity to know where we are now and what we have to further work on to improve and close the gap not only with Guam but also with the teams of Asian countries,” NMI men’s coach Michiteru Mita said.
“Also, the training camp allowed us to see the importance of working on youth development and the grassroots with more consistency,” he added.
The NMI Men’s U20 team members pose for a photo before their friendly match against Guam at the Guam Football Association National Training Center in Dededo.
The NMI Women’s U18 team warm up before their friendly match against their Guam counterparts at the Guam Football Association National Training Center in Dededo.
