Youth Festival, Beijing, closing in
.jpg)
The first match against DPR (North) Korea kicked off at 8:30AM. Immediately CNMI could see that they were nearly as strong as our Japanese rivals yesterday. The CNMI fell back into a defensive posture and were never able to mount an offense. The final score was DPR Korea 9, CNMI 0
The final match against Mongolia was a real nail-biter. Mongolia scored first at minute 11. But the CNMI wanted this game badly. The CNMI caught a break at minute 16 when Dakota Hall was given a free kick just in front of the center line. The odds are too great to attempt a goal kick from that distance and most teams choose to pass the ball from that position. But Dakota made the most picture-perfect kick I have seen in a U-14 game that sailed effortlessly over the goalie’s head and into the left upper corner of the goal, tying the game. The CNMI added their second goal 7 minutes later on a pass from Dakota Hall to Jordan Butcher who dribbled and shot up the middle for the go-ahead point.
Leading at half-time 2-1, the CNMI had regained their confidence and energy and only needed to hold Mongolia for 30 minutes. But at minute 23, in the second half, Mongolia tied the score on a corner kick.
The play moved up and down the field for the next 6 minutes and with only seconds to go Mongolia was awarded a penalty kick in the goalie box. Julian Pellegrino braced himself for the shot the final shot that would make the difference in a win or loss. Mongolia’s shot was deflected off the crossbar missing the goal just as the final whistle blew. It was a tense battle to the very end with a tie score of 2-2.
The final tally for the CNMI Boys U-14 team:
Wins 2 (Chinese Taipei, Macau)
Losses 5
Ties 2 (China PR, Mongolia)
Tonight they have the closing ceremonies and each team will present some short entertainment that they had to prepare themselves. It should be a fun end to a great tournament.
Comments
Post a Comment