NMI nat’l soccer teams off to Solomons and China

The Northern Mariana Islands Football Federation held a joint sendoff ceremony for the first time for its men’s and women’s national soccer team on Wednesday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.

The men’s national team is on its way to the Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands today and is competing against Oceania teams for the first time.

They are in Group C of the 12-team football competition that will run from Nov. 17 to Dec. 2, 2023. They will first go up against Fiji on Nov. 18, then Tahiti on Nov. 24.

The women’s national team, on the other hand, is heading to Zhuhai, China for the Women’s EAFF E-1 Football Championship 2024, which is going to be held from Nov. 30 to Dec. 8.

They will first take on Mongolia on Nov. 30, then Hong Kong on Dec. 2, and North Korea on Dec. 4.

The ceremony was attended by NMIFA president Jerry Tan, NMIFA Executive Committee members Catherine Attao-Toves, Alex Sablan, and Associate Judge Wesley Bogdan, Rep. Edwin K. Propst (Ind-Saipan), and family and friends of the teams.

Tan congratulated both teams and said how proud he is of the teams’ commitment. He acknowledged that the NMI is debuting against Oceania teams but said they shouldn’t think it’ll be easy.

“I want to wish both teams good luck. Enjoy Solomon Islands and enjoy Zhu Hai… most importantly, enjoy the experience, do your best, have good sportsmanship. We know you’ll really fight for our flag,” he said.

For Attao-Toves, she told the women’s team, “We’re really excited to see how you’ll do. You’ve put in so much work for the past couple years, and I know you guys will get great results. Just continue to do your best, play with all your heart, and I know you always represent us well.”

For the men’s team, she said, “I’m truly honored to be a part of your delegation… you guys are going to be the ones to set the tone in the Pacific Games and with our Oceania neighbors. So definitely, I know you’re going to do well. Let’s go get them and let’s go NMI.”

The men’s national team consists of Jerald Aquino, Anthony Bergancia, Dev Bachani, Casey Chambers, Mark Chavez, Mark Costales, Leland Deleon Guerrero, Ruben Guerrero, Akira Kadokura, Wataru Kadokura, Davy Laxa, Zhi Xiang Lin, Brian Lubao, Ariel Narvaez, Jonne Navarro, Nolan Ngewakl, Ronnel Ocanada, Daniell Pablo, Tyler Omelau, Cody Shimizu, Markus Toves, Merrick Toves, Konomi Suzuki, and Jireh Yobech. Accompanying them are head coach Michiteru Mita, assistant coach Konomi Suzuki, team manager Jershwin Angeles, assistant team manager Attao-Toves, kit manager Davy Laxa, and physical therapist Hazel Mabasa.

The women’s national team includes Katrina Costales, Mia Abuan, Christina Atalig, Jannah Casarino, Andrei Chavez, Julie Chavez, Bernadette Horey, Khristelle Itaas, Tamia Kileleman-Hix, Tyana Kileleman-Hix, Summer Manahane, Kelsey McClellan, Deseha Mendiola, Pia Ngewakl, Dianne Pablo, Sophia Quintos, Gabrielle Race, Guinevere Borja, Britany Wally, and Rizza Relucio. Accompanying them are head coach Luam Khen Koo, assistant coach Kwok Kei Poon, manager Mikky Vargas, assistant manager Yu Hung Lee, assistant coach Mae Ito, and physiotherapist Pamela Carhill.