{"id":296092,"date":"2019-03-25T06:00:09","date_gmt":"2019-03-24T20:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=296092"},"modified":"2019-03-25T06:00:09","modified_gmt":"2019-03-24T20:00:09","slug":"over-100-join-afc-womens-football-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/over-100-join-afc-womens-football-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Over 100 join AFC Women\u2019s Football Day"},"content":{"rendered":"
Participants in the AFC Women\u2019s Football Day pose for a group photo. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\u2019s AFC Women\u2019s Football Day.<\/p>\n

NMIFA joined the Asian Football Confederation in observing the International Women\u2019s Day (March 8) by holding a 3×3 soccer tournament, which featured competitions in four divisions: U9, U12, women\u2019s open, and masters.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

In the women\u2019s open, Wuteva clinched the championship after dominating Wanna Be Soccer Players in the finals, 6-3. <\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

In the U12 age group, Betde United prevailed in a best-of-three showdown with Kanoa FC to make it to the champions\u2019 circle, while Paire edged Matansa in the finals, 2-1, to top the U9 division.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The champions in each division received trophies during the brief award ceremonies.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe would like to thank all the players and officials for taking part in the AFC Women\u2019s 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\u2019s football in our islands,\u201d NMIFA Executive Committee member Patricia Coleman said.<\/p>\n