Matansa FC mauls Kanoa for 5th straight title

Undefeated Matansa FC/11Tigers mauled Kanoa Football Club for their fifth straight Marianas Soccer League 1 championship last Sunday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.

The Tigers hunted the boys in orange up and down the pitch like prey and won, 3-2.

The intensity on the pitch was only rivaled by the energy of the crowd that cheered them on in the stands and the sidelines. The electricity was palpable and pulsed through the players as they battled for possession and the upper hand.

Then, 11Tigers’ Sunjoon Tenorio got the Tigers roaring in the 26th minute from a penalty kick for a 1-0 advantage, while Kanoa had yet to find their footing.

Kanoa finally replied and scored an equalizer in the 43rd minute as Brian Lubao found a gap and made it 1-1. The hunter then became the hunted as in the 60th minute, Kanoa balanced it out after a PK to Daniell Pablo for a 2-1 lead.

However, 11Tiger was persistent and after much back and forth, they leveled the match once again in the 83rd from a goal by Joe Miller, making it 2-2. Tenorio then put his foot down and put a stop to a possible Kanoa resurgence as he scored the decisive winning third goal in 90+4 extra time for a 3-2 final.

With Tenorio and Miller in 11Tigers were Jamin Elliot, Ariel Narvaez Jr., Saixian Bagsic, Monaco Claridades, Anthony Austria, Zhi Xiang Lin, Akira Kadokura, Tanapon “Jack” Unsa, Yoshi Mafnas, Mareko Tekopua, Brandon Tenorio, David Mafnas, John Masga, Heman Addy, Dane Hodges, Md Khan, and Phillip Megino.

Unsa was the Golden Boot awardee with 11 goals in the season.

11Tigers coach Bada Lee said about their fifth straight MSL championship, “Winning again feels incredible! It’s always a team effort, and there’s something special to regaining the title after a previous loss. Every win is unique, but this one feels extra meaningful given everything we’ve been through to get here.”

Their match against Kanoa, he said, was intense. “They are a tough competitor, but we stayed focused and executed our game plan. It wasn’t easy, but we knew we had to dig deep, and it paid off. The energy was electric!”

Lee added that the difference in their team this year compared to last was that they had to relearn team chemistry because some of their younger players left for college. “We approached with greater focus and a stronger sense of unity with my captains Sunjoon [Tenorio], David [Mafnas], and Jack’s [Unsa] contribution, the team was demonstrated with excellent leadership throughout the season. There was a collective commitment of improvement, and it really showed when it mattered most.”

Their season this year was successful, as they boasted an undefeated 9-0-0 record. “This season has been highly successful, as the team won every match without a single loss or draw, but we learned a lot from every challenge. We finished with [9-0-0], which put us in a good position for the playoffs. We faced some good teams, but every match was a learning experience, and that made all the difference in the end.”

He then gave his words of thanks. “First, a huge thank you to my teammates—everyone stepped up, and this is a shared victory. My captains Sunjoon, David, and Jack, were instrumental in keeping us focused, and the fans were amazing all season,” he said. “We wouldn’t be here without the support of our families, friends, sponsors and everyone who believed in us from the start. This one’s for all of you!”

11Tigers, which is under Matansa FC, also won the Inaugural Marianas Club Championship last December over Guam’s Wings FC.

Published by Saipan Tribune - Nov 20, 2024