NMI wraps up AFC qualifier with 0-9 loss 

The NMI U17 Men’s National Soccer Team lost all three of their matches in the Asian Football Confederation U17 Asian Cup 2025 Qualifiers after a 0-9 final against host Kuwait yesterday.

The NMI team was put in tough Group G with powerhouse Australia, Indonesia, and Kuwait.

In their final game against Kuwait, they conceded their fewest goals of the tournament, losing 0-9.

Against Indonesia last Saturday, they lost, 0-10, and in their opener against Australia, they fell, 0-19.

With their match against Kuwait, the NMI’s defenses held until the 8th minute when Abdullah Al Qarzaei broke the ice. He went on to complete the hat-trick after a goal in the 30th and in the 40th. By the 33rd minute, Fawaz Al Dawood slotted another, followed by a goal from Abdulrahman Al Suwaidi in the 38th.

In the second half, the NMI continued to play with all they got, but the Kuwaitis weren’t done as Mubarak Al Ajmi made it 6-0 in the 58th minute. Silence prevailed then as NMI tried to leave a mark in their final hurrah, but Kuwait’s defense was impenetrable.

Meanwhile, Kuwait’s offense had more fuel left in their tank as Al Qarzaei netted their seventh goal in the 71st, followed by Al Dawood’s goal in the 79th. Ahmed Mesyer wrapped it up at the 90th+2-minute mark for the 0-9 final.

The NMI’s manager Khristelle Itaas said during their match day, the team had a meeting to discuss tactics. “We showed the boys all your messages and we would once again like to thank you for your encouraging messages, and the boys were truly inspired to give their all.”

She added, “In tonight’s (last night’s) match against the host team, Kuwait, the boys fought hard and put up a strong challenge. Unfortunately, the final score was 9-0. Either way, we are incredibly proud of them for pushing their limits and representing the CNMI with pride.”

The team consisted of 23 players—Edward Arriola III, Gauis Ranada, Nolan Ngewakl, Riku Takahashi, Yutaka Kadokura, Aiden Camacho, Chan Woong Yeom, Chan Seo Yeom, Rooney Gil, Terrel Kileleman-Hix, Benetton Haro, Akoni Matsumoto, Kian Estolas, Theo Joab, Taiga Namai-Scoggins, Jayson Tagabuel, Jack Raho, Taher Shakir, John Quidato, Eamon Tang, David Xing, Moshe Sikkel, and Mark Costales.

They were joined by head coach Konomi Suzuki, assistant coach Jireh Yobech, goalkeeper coach Takumi Kanda, Itaas, equipment manager Bernadette Horey, and team doctor/physiotherapist Hazel Mabasa.