CNMI takes nail-biter

The CNMI Women’s U19 National Team did not disappoint its throng of supporters after pulling off a nail-biter against Guam, 3-2, in yesterday’s 2018 Marianas Cup held at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.

Katrina Costales, Jerlyn Castillo, and Guinevere Borja scored for the home squad and the rest of the team took care of business on defense to foil Guam’s comeback bid in the second half.

“The team deserved this win. I’ve been here for seven years and I believed women’s football have improved a lot. I see how our players work hard every day,” head coach Luen Khen Koo said a few minutes after the thrilling victory that was sealed only after the buzzer, as Guam gave the CNMI some anxious moments in the closing stage of the match.

Guam threatened the CNMI when Jinae Teria scored in the 79th minute off a follow-up, as goalie Emalyn Aniana gambled on meeting an attacking Lauren Philips, who kicked the ball that rolled sideways, missing its target. However, Teria was there to put it back, as Aniana was nowhere in sight.

Aniana later made up for that defensive lapse when she had a perfect catch of Samantha Fegurgur’s free kick with a little over seven minutes left in the match.

“I don’t want to let my teammates down. Even though I am hurting after those saves, I tried my best to stay focus and go after the ball. I know how hard all my teammates and coaches worked, so I really need to step up,” said Aniana, who made several saves both in the first and second half and every time she got the ball she drew cheers from the adoring crowd.

It was the crowd, according to Northern Marianas Islands Football Association president Jerry Tan, that boosted the CNMI players’ morale against the rallying Guam, especially after the home team’s lead was brought down to 1, with about 11 minutes left in the game.

“It was indeed the longest 11 minutes of my life. In soccer, just like any other sport, you can’t really say the game is over because even in the last minute or a few seconds you can score. I am really proud of the girls. They scored three solid goals and despite giving up two in the second half, they kept their composure and hung in there,” Tan said.

“It shows how much heart they put into the game, they gave their 110 percent. I am sure that they did it for the fans. The girls see how loud and supportive the fans are—this win was for them,” the NMIFA head added.

Team captain Krizel Tuazon shared Tan’s thoughts, saying that without the home crowd, it will be difficult to win the match and hold their ground against a tough opponent.

“If they are not here, I don’t think we have a strong chance of winning,” Tuazon said.

The CNMI seemed headed for the easy victory when it built a 3-0 lead early in the second half off Castillo and Borja’s goals. Castillo was fed by Lilian Podziewski and had only one defender on her when she let go of a cross that Guam goalie Angelyn Sobrevilla could not stop, giving the former the goal in the 49th minute.

Then nine minutes later, it was Borja’s turn to light up the board off a corner kick. Therize Millare unleashed the corner kick and a Guam player deflected the ball, but could not keep the possession and Borja stepped in and took a lob that caught Guam’s goalie off guard. Sobrevilla also failed to make a save off Castillo’s cross in the 16th minute, giving the CNMI a good start en route to the close win.

The victory was the first for any CNMI women’s squad against Guam and Borja said it was a product of team effort, especially on the defensive end.

“Although, I, Katrina, and Jerlyn scored, we can’t take the credit for the win. It was all because of the hard work and dedication from all the members and officials of the team. Guam scored twice in the second half and we almost lost our lead. However, it was the defense of our teammates that helped us survive and get this win. It’s such a great feeling and we are very happy and honored to do it in front of our supporters,” Borja said.

Guam, which got its first goal from Phillips in the 72nd minute, understandably, was disappointed with the defeat, but is taking the loss as a chance to work on their game more.

“Obviously, it was a disappointment that we did not come up with the win or tie. But still, it was good for our preparation in our next tournament. We know what we need to work on. We have a playing style that we are trying to implement in Guam and we’re getting there. We know what we need to come up in our training camp and press the girls so we can meet all those objectives,” head coach Maggie Phillips said.