ISLAND Star sits at the bottom of the food chain in Division B of the Men’s M-League Spring 2021, but it managed to defeat the Matansa Football Club on Saturday at the NMI Soccer Training Center.
Equal in all aspects, neither team was able to break the ice in the first half despite a handful of close calls on both ends.
But late in the second half, Matansa gradually built momentum. After minutes of back-and-forth action, the team finally created a clear opening for Gabriel Arkoh who scored at the 68th minute mark to give his team a 1-0 lead.
Time was of the essence and the Matansa players made sure to use the clock to their advantage.
However, at the 80th minute mark, Island Star’s Feng Yu scored to tie the game.
His goal boosted his team-mate’s morale, and they were soon applying offensive pressure on Matansa once again.
Four minutes later, Island Star’s Dan Ibarra was left unguarded and he capitalized with a clear shot to give his team a 2-1 lead with only a few minutes left in the game.
Matansa was unable to equalize, allowing Island Star to notch its second win of the season.
Other games
Joining the winner’s circle was Shirley’s Football Club which bested Saipan United 4-2.
Both teams started with goals on each end but it was Shirley’s that held the upper hand thanks to Lalaine Pagarao’s two-goal contribution to give her team the lead, 3-2.
In the second half, Shirley’s managed to completely shut down Saipan United’s production while squeezing in one more goal to seal the deal, 4-2.
The Bangladesh Football Club also celebrated with a dominant win against the Women’s National Team, 5-0.
Island Star’s Guang Hui Sun battles a Matansa player for control during a Division B game of the Men’s M-League Spring 2021 on Saturday at the NMI Soccer Training Center.
Contributed photo
