Inter-Godfather’s hoists Saipan Cup

Inter-Godfather’s won the 2008 Saipan Cup after beating FC Arirang in the finals last Sunday at the Oleai Sports Complex.

The one-day tournament was participated in by five men’s teams and the CNMI Women’s National Football Team, which played two exhibition games.

Inter-Godfather’s and FC Arirang both wound up with identical 1-1-0 win-draw-loss cards to advance to the finale.

In the championship, Inter-Godfather’s led early thanks to a goal by CNMI National Team coach Nick Swaim a mere 15 minutes into the game.

But FC Arirang retaliated 20 minutes later when Gwang Sik found the back of the net as both teams entered the halftime break all knotted up at 1-1.

It appeared like Inter-Godfather’s and FC Arirang would need an extra period or two to decide the championship, but with five minutes left in the competition, tournament MVP Norman Camacho of Inter-Godfather’s booted the winning goal in the 65th minute and FC Arirang, this time, failed to respond handing the victory and championship to Camacho and company.

Camacho and teammates Swaim, Sanjay Dangol, John Duenas, David Duenas, Jose Duenas, Christopher Guerrero, Peter Houk, Karikou Jabrian, Eigo Komatsu, Peter Loken, Suriya Mongkhonat, Shunji Nagayasu, Koichiro Nakamura, Chris Nelson, Masatoshi Otsuka, Arkie Reusora, Dale Roberts, and Gregorio Sasamoto were awarded the 2008 Saipan Cup championship trophy and the $100 first place purse, courtesy of organizer Korea Amateur Sports Association. For finishing second, FC Arirang went home with $50.

On hand to present the hardware and cash prize during the awards ceremony immediately following the tournament were KASA president Jong Ho Lee as well as KFAS president Sung In Kim.

Other awardees of last Sunday’s one-day soccer competition were Yong Jin Choi as best defender, FC Arirang’s Sung Ho Kang as best offensive player (most goals), championship player of the game Claire Brostrum, and Leo Mendiola for sportsmanship.

Inter-Godfather’s kicked off its campaign with a 2-1 nipping of Onwell in the first game of the 2008 Saipan Cup. The game saw Swaim score goals in the 12th and 27th minutes before Onwell came within a goal when Jason Schroeder split the pipes in the 54th minute.

FC Arirang, meanwhile, throttled an overmatched Multinational FC team, 6-2, in the second game, which saw Sung Ho Kang score thrice, Jin Wook Cho twice, and Suck Bong once for FCA. Joe Miller accounted for both of Multinational FC’s goals.

In the third game of the tourney, Onwell battled to a 3-3 tie against Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino. Jason Schroeder scored two goals and Jess Phonsutjit had one for Onwell, while the three goals of TDHC were courtesy of Yoshi Gabaldon (two) and Shackti G. Klenjan.

In what turned out to be a preview of the finals, Inter-Godfather’s and FC Arirang played to a 1-1 draw in the fourth game.

Inter-Godfather’s drew first blood when Christopher Guerrero scored a mere two minutes into the game, but FC Arirang equalized just before the first half ended when Kang found the back of the net in the 34th minute.

In the final game of the eliminations, Multinational FC improved its mark to 1-0-1 following a 1-0 victory over TDHC.

While Inter-Godfather’s and FC Arirang both finished with a win and a draw and Multinational wrapped up its campaign with a win and a loss in the elimination round, TDHC and Onwell both wound up with a record of one loss and one draw.

The one-day tournament also saw the women’s national team, which called themselves Women’s All-Stars in the 2008 Saipan Cup, battle to 0-6 and 1-2 losses to Onwell and Multinational FC that played them a half at a time.

It’s interesting to note though that the Women’s All-Stars actually beat Multinational FC, 1-0, in the second half of the second game thanks to a goal by Lindsay Davis.