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Over 100 join AFC Women’s Football Day
Participants in the AFC Women’s Football Day pose for a group photo. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
The NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville was filled with more than 100 female players of all ages, as they participated in the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association’s AFC Women’s Football Day.
NMIFA joined the Asian Football Confederation in observing the International Women’s Day (March 8) by holding a 3×3 soccer tournament, which featured competitions in four divisions: U9, U12, women’s open, and masters.
Still Playing went on to top the masters category after beating Matansa 1 in the finals, 3-1. Still Playing earned 3 points in Pool B to advance to the title game, while Matansa 1 ruled Pool A after getting 6 points. Kanoa 1 and 2, TanHoldings 1 and 2, and Matansa 2 were the other teams entered in the masters division.
In the women’s open, Wuteva clinched the championship after dominating Wanna Be Soccer Players in the finals, 6-3.
Wuteva also led in the elimination round after bagging 12 points, while Wanna Be Soccer Players notched 6 and defeated Super Friends in the tiebreak for the No. 2 spot to take the second finals ticket. Kanoa and Paire also fielded one team each in the division.
In the U12 age group, Betde United prevailed in a best-of-three showdown with Kanoa FC to make it to the champions’ circle, while Paire edged Matansa in the finals, 2-1, to top the U9 division.
Paire matched into the final game after collecting 9 points in the elimination round, while Matansa defeated Kanoa in the tiebreak for the second finals berth. Matansa and Kanoa each gained 7 markers in the elimination, while TanHoldings and Fiesta FC completed the field.
The champions in each division received trophies during the brief award ceremonies.
“We would like to thank all the players and officials for taking part in the AFC Women’s Football Day. We would also like to acknowledge our president, Jerry Tan, other NMIFA officials and staff for making sure that we continue to have this program to promote women’s football in our islands,” NMIFA Executive Committee member Patricia Coleman said.
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- Fiesta Football Club (white jersey) and Matansa Football Club players chase the ball during the 3×3 game in the AFC Women’s Football Day held last Saturday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
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- Still Playing members are all smiles after receiving the championship trophy in the masters division. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
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- Paire players and their coach, Patricia Coleman, right, pose with their U9 championship trophy. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
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- Kanoa Football Club’s Melanie Santos, center, faces two TanHoldings defenders. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
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- Wanna Be Soccer Players’ Mia Carreon, right, tries to deflect the ball hit by Wuteva’s Jerlyn Castillo. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
