By James Sablan
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Variety News Staff
THE Northern Mariana Islands Football Association officially revealed its roster and schedule for the upcoming Women’s EAFF E-1 Football Championship preliminary competition during a send-off ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan on Saturday afternoon.
The NMI Women’s National Team is preparing to travel to Guam, where the preliminary tournament will be held from June 3 to 9.
The competition serves as a key testing ground for the region’s rising soccer talent, pitting the Commonwealth’s best against top-tier regional opponents.
The send-off ceremony featured a presentation introducing the core squad members who will represent the NMI in Guam. Highlighted players included Mia Abuan, Aubrey White, Orica George, Dianne Pablo, Khristelle Itaas, Joselynn Atalig, Summer Manahane, Jannah Casarino, Jerlyn Castillo, Kaithlyn Chavez, Aubrey Castro, Deseha Mendiola, Julie Chavez, Rizza Relucio, Sophia Quintos, Bernadette Horey, Gabrielle Race, Christina Atalig, and Hailey Benavente, alongside head coach Luam Koo, assistant coach Ronnel Ocanada, goalkeeper Kwok Poon, team manager Janelle Pangilinan, assistant team manager Yu Hung Lee, team media officer Renedel Buno, and team doctor Allen Rara.
The preliminary tournament splits the participating associations into two groups. The NMI has been placed in Group B, where it will face Chinese Taipei in a double-header format. Group A consists of the Korea Republic, Macau, and host Guam.
NMI will play Chinese Taipei on July 5 at 7:15 p.m., followed by its second match on July 7 at 2:30 p.m.
Addressing the women’s national team, NMIFA President Jerry Tan spoke emotionally about the challenges faced in reaching this stage.
“Only four weeks ago, we were still debating whether we could actually join the tournament,” Tan said, referencing the extensive damage caused by Super Typhoon Sinlaku. “At the management level, we definitely wanted to continue, but at the same time, we were hit by a super typhoon.”
He said that while East Asian Football Federation officials were aware of the damage and would not have faulted the NMI for withdrawing, the local football community chose to push forward. With the support of players, coaches, parents, and NMIFA staff, who spent long days clearing and restoring facilities, training sites were returned to safe condition.
The effort paid off.
While Hong Kong and Mongolia ultimately withdrew for separate reasons, the NMI Women’s National Team was confirmed in a five-team pool, setting up a high-profile matchup against Chinese Taipei.
“I cannot be prouder of all of you,” Tan said, noting that Chinese Taipei is a regional powerhouse currently competing for a World Cup berth, offering the NMI a valuable test against elite opposition.
Combined with the successful conclusion of the recent President’s Cup at the NMI Soccer Complex, which saw 316 youth players compete across four divisions over four days, the island’s football community continues to show strong momentum.
Closing his remarks, Tan thanked parents for their support and wished the women’s team and coaching staff success as they prepare for departure next week.
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.
