The NMI's Summer Manahane attempts an interception against Guam during a Marianas Football Cup game Thursday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.
The NMI finds the back of the net after slipping past Guam goalkeeper Ha'ani Bylerly during a Marianas Football Cup game Thursday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.
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THE NMI U23 Women's National Team swept their two-game Marianas Football Cup 2023 match against Guam by winning 5-1 on Thursday and 2-0 on Saturday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.
On Saturday, Guam had a better idea of what the NMI was capable of and adjusted accordingly. Both teams were unable to score throughout the first 30 minutes of the opening half.
However, the NMI continued to play aggressively and eventually overwhelmed Guam.
After a series of trial and error, the NMI was finally rewarded with a goal delivered by Summer Manahane at the 36th minute mark to grasp the lead, 1-0.
Throughout the transition to the second half, Guam remained scoreless despite their many attempted shots.
Toward the end, the NMI broke through once again with Jannah Casarino firing the second goal for the host team at the 85th minute mark to extend the deficit, 2-0, en route to victory.
Game 1
In the first game on Thursday, the NMI overpowered Guam, 5-1.
The first three goals were scored in the first half. Jannah Casarino ignited the run with a penalty kick that connected at the 25th minute mark while teammate Andrei Kaithlyn Chavez followed with the second goal three minutes later to stretch the gap, 2-1.
At the 38th minute mark, Summer Manahane joined the scoreboard with a lob shot over Guam's goalkeeper to end the halftime with a 3-0 lead.
The NMI’s lead grew in the second half as Guinevere Borja found the back of the net at the 72nd minute mark while Chavez earned her second goal at the 77th for a comfortable 5-0 lead.
But Guam went down fighting with Lexi Taitague draining their only goal off a penalty kick at the 84th minute mark to somewhat ease the pain, 1-5.
NMI Head Coach Luam Khen Koo said the tournament was very good for the local players. “The girls did very well — they deserved to be the champion and they trained very hard. It was difficult for Guam to adjust during the first game so we knew they would play harder the second time,” she added.
Marianas Cup (women) record
Year Level Winner
2007 A Guam
2008 A shared
2009 A Guam
2010 A Guam
2017 A Guam
2018 U19 NMI
2019 U19 NMI
