MP United returns on top of Division A

MP United Football Club moved back to the top spot in Division A of the M-League after dominating Hawaiian Rock/Paire FC, 8-2, last Sunday at the Hopwood Middle School Field.

MP United now has a 5-1-1 win-draw-loss record, slightly ahead of TanHoldings FC and the CNMI U16 National Team, which have similar 5-0-2 slates.

Joon Lee powered MP United to its fifth win after scoring a hat-trick, with his first goal posted in the 25th minute and the last two in the 55th and 60th. He also drew a lot of support from his teammates as Jireh Yobech and Young Bin Kim chipped in two each and Raymond Mercado added one.

Robbie Greene and Gerard Van Gils logged the two goals for Hawaiian Rock/Paire, which is in fifth place in the six-team field with its 2-0-5 record.

In other Division A results, TanHoldings helped MP United regain the No. 1 spot in the team standings after beating the Teen Ayuyus, 2-1.

Tan Holdings got an own goal off Carlson Cruzat’s error in the 34th minute, while Sean Perez made it a 2-0 advantage for the winning team in the 53rd. The CNMI U16 crew then threatened TanHoldings when Sunjoon Tenorio hit his target four minutes later. However, TanHoldings hung in there to keep the shaky lead and tie the Teen Ayuyus’ record.

In Division B, Shirley’s-1 retained the top spot after getting a free win (forfeit) against Sun Palace.

Shirley’s-1 is still unbeaten in seven games, increasing its lead against Shirley’s-2 and Kanoa by three wins.

Kanoa improved its record to 4-2-1 after downing the Thundercats, 4-2. Ian Maniago and Minsoo Jun drilled two goals apiece in Kanoa’s win, while Don Cabrera and Timothy Tawanpiy had one each for the Thundercats, who remain at the cellar with its 0-2-5 mark.

Shirley’s-2 matched Kanoa’s record after settling for a draw against Korean Football Association on Saipan (3-2-2). Jack Phan, Hojin Woo, and Ronnel Ocanada hit the board for Shirley’s-2, while Dong Gu Lee, Edwin Kim, and Jun Woo Lee registered one goal apiece for KFAS.

In other results in Division B, Matansa notched its second win after outclassing the CNMI Women’s National Team last Saturday, 3-1.

Zaw Moe, Anamul Haque, and Kamrul Kamrul contributed one goal apiece for Matansa, while Gillian Villagomez knocked in the lone goal for WNT, which is at the bottom half of the team standings with its 1-0-6 record. Matansa is ranked fifth with its 2-1-4 card.