THE U14 teams of the NMI and Guam split their two-game match on Friday and Saturday at the NMI Soccer Training Center.
In the first game, Guam powered through with a 5-2 victory.
Guam took control of the possession early with Stephen Rioja connecting two consecutive goals for a 2-0 lead. Minutes later, Guam’s Cole Sablan and Cooper Flood joined the scoring spree with goals at the 13th and 18th minute marks to widen Guam’s lead, 4-0.
In the second set, the NMI’s Jazzroy Villagomez sliced a shot to notch the host team’s first goal. But Guam’s Eli Brown scored at the 47th minute mark to maintain a safe distance, 5-1.
The NMI put up a fight in the third and final set but could only score one goal which was delivered by Ronald Manabat at the 63rd minute mark before Guam sealed the deal, 5-2.
Game 2
In the second game, the NMI rallied to edge Guam, 5-4.
Guam seized the lead early, scoring two goals in the first set courtesy of Trey Jacot at the 2nd and 5th minute marks.
In the second set, the NMI’s Damien Concepcion scored at the 29th minute mark, but Guam responded with two straight makes by Chima Mbakwen and Jorju Sato at the 33rd and 36th minute marks.
The NMI stayed alive by scoring a second goal at the 39th minute, thanks to Rodney Tomei.
In the final set, with Guam leading 4-2, the NMI mounted a comeback led by Taiga Namai-Scoggins who scored at the 56th and 70th minute marks to tie the score, 4-4.
Two minutes later, the NMI’s Akoni Matsumoto connected the game-winning goal.
Guam U14’s Jorju Sato intercepts the possession during a friendly game against the NMI at the NMI Soccer Training Center.
The NMI U14’s Emerson Brillo attempts to dribble past a Guam defender during a friendly game at the NMI Soccer Training Center.
The NMI’s U15 team defeated the Guam U14 team, 6-0, at the NMI Soccer Training Center. The NMI’s Paul Lizama and Jim Takeru led the pack with two goals each while team mates Iver Lilles and Nolan Ngewakl added two more. Photo shows the NMI’s Jonne Navarro, left, chasing after Guam’s Cole Sablan who is pushing forward with the possession.
