The NMI Women’s National Soccer Team members pose for a photo before their match against Mongolia on Thursday in the preliminary competition of the Women’s EAFF E-1 Football Championship in Zhuhai, China.
NMI women’s soccer players celebrate after scoring a goal against Mongolia on Thursday in the preliminary competition of the Women’s EAFF E-1 Football Championship in Zhuhai, China.
THE NMI Women’s National Soccer Team edged Mongolia, 4-3, on Thursday but lost to Hong Kong 1-6 on Saturday and to North Korea, 0-17, on Monday in the preliminary competition of the Women’s EAFF E-1 Football Championship in Zhuhai, China.
In the NMI’s match against Mongolia, both teams exchanged possessions several times during the first 18 minutes of the game with neither able to control the pace.
The NMI played aggressively as they moved the ball with long passes and quick pushes. Then, at the 23rd minute mark, the team managed to turn defense into offense with Guinevere Borja finding Kaithlyn Chavez midfield where she took the 12-yard shot and found the back of the net to hand the NMI the lead, 1-0.
After several attempts, Mongolia’s relentless pressure eventually broke through the NMI’s wall of defense with Enkhzul Batjargal connecting a midrange shot over the NMI goalie to even the score at the 35th minute mark.
The NMI quickly recovered as Borja recorded her second assist to find Jannah Casarino, who slipped past the overextended goalie and connected the shot at the 40th minute mark to end the first half with the NMI in control, 2-1.
Mongolia returned from the halftime break eager for redemption. They delivered their second goal to even the score once again while the NMI’s Chavez replied with a second goal of her own. But Mongolia quickly found the back of the net to tie the score once again, 3-3.
The match appeared headed to a draw or an overtime shootout, but the NMI’s persistency created an opportunity for Casarino’s clutch goal in extra time to secure victory over Mongolia, 4-3.
Losses
In their second match against Hong Kong, the NMI lost 1-6.
Hong Kong controlled the first half with three goals. The NMI adjusted during the second half with Casarino breaking the silence to score at the 74th minute mark, but Hong Kong stepped up their game once again to secure the win, 6-1.
Against North Korea, the NMI were overpowered, losing 0-17. North Korea earlier trounced Hong Kong, 11-0, and Mongolia, 19-0.
