FOR the past three years, the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association has not been able to send players to compete in off-island tournaments due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Fortunately, things have somewhat returned to normal.
On Friday, the NMIFA held a sendoff ceremony at the NMI Soccer Training Center for the NMI Men’s U20 National Team which will compete in the AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers halfway around the world — in Amman, Jordan.
“You guys are in good hands as Coach [Michiteru] Mita used to live in Jordan for two and a half years.” NMIFA President Jerry Tan told the players.
But he said one of the team’s toughest challenges will be the 30-hour flight to the Middle East.
“Our program — other than kids being able to compete, become better players and go on to play college and professionally one day — is also an opportunity to travel to many different countries,” Tan said.
He also noted that the NMI’s U20 group has been training for over two years together.
From Sept. 10 to 18, the NMI will be playing in Group D with host Jordan, Chinese-Taipei (Taiwan), Syria and Turkmenistan. The NMI team will leave Saipan on Sept. 7.
The team consists of Leo Takahashi, Reginald Pascual, Akira Kadokura, Jerald Aquino, Markus Toves, Taka Borja, Anthony Bergancia, Ruben Guerrero, Anthony Austria, Ariel Narvaez Jr., Brandon Tenorio, Leland Deleon Guerrero, Cody Shimizu, Jonne Navarro, Daniell Pablo, Merrick Toves, Vicente Reyes, Jason Quimzon along with college-bound athletes Richard Steele, Rintaro Miyawaki, Kohtaro Goto and Dev Bachani.
The team will be led by Head Coach Michiteru Mita, Team Manager Mae Ito, Assistant Coach Chi Ming Tang, Technical Analysist Jireh Yobech, Team Doctor Hazel Mabasa, Assistant Manager Christopher Aninzo and Kit Manager Davy Laxa.
“We are a small island but we are so lucky to participate at the highest levels of international tournament thanks to the parents, [the NMIFA executive committee] members, the clubs and others who support our teams,” said Head Coach Mita. “Success is not only about winning and losing, it’s about the experience. We always try our best when we compete.”
Also sharing a few words was Team Captain Taka Borja. “We’ve been training for two years together,” he said. “Our advantage is our chemistry. So to give back, we want to give you all good results and hopefully come back with a win.”
There are 10 groups in the qualifiers in Jordan. The top finisher in each group and the five best runners-up will advance to the AFC Asian Cup which will be hosted by Uzbekistan in March 2023.
The NMI Men’s U20 National Team members pose for a photo Friday at the NMI Soccer Training Center.
NMI football player Merrick Toves shakes hands with NMI Football Association President Jerry Tan.
Head Coach Michiteru Mita delivers his remarks during a sendoff ceremony for the NMI Men’s U20 National Team on Friday at the NMI Soccer Training Center.
