Matansa wins MSL 1 title

THE Matansa Football Club rallied past the Kanoa Football Club, 3-2, to win the Marianas Soccer League 1 Fall 2024 championship at the NMI Soccer Training Center on Sunday.

It was truly a finale like no other as both teams were equally matched.

Intensity filled the first 20 minutes of the opening half as both teams battled for control of the possession. Kanoa was on the defensive end, but firmly stood their ground by denying several shot attempts and turning a few of them into scoring opportunities.

However, as the game progressed, Matansa’s continuous pressure started to affect Kanoa’s performance. At the 26th minute mark, Kanoa’s lack of defensive coverage led to a costly foul as they sent Matansa to the line for a penalty kick. Sunjoon Tenorio capitalized with a quick but powerful shot to grasp the first lead of the night, 1-0.

Kanoa made up for their errors with sheer grit. During the last few possessions of the first half, their efforts were finally rewarded as Brian Lubao attempted a chip shot from the corner just outside of the penalty area with just enough force to slip above the goalie’s reach and find the back of the net at the 43rd minute mark to tie the score, 1-1.

The action only intensified throughout the second half as both teams continued to fight for control.

Kanoa was the aggressor and after 15 minutes of trial and error, they finally broke through Matansa’s defensive wall. A lead pass drew a foul, which turned into a penalty kick with Daniell Pablo delivering at the 60th minute mark for Kanoa’s first lead of the match, 2-1.

Matansa cooked up a rally within the next 23 minutes as Tenorio’s well-placed pass found Joe Miller unguarded deep within enemy territory. Miller extended with enough space to push the ball past the goalie and record the second deadlock of the match, 2-2.

With little time left, both teams looked for the deciding goal, but it was Matansa that claimed the opportunity as a long pass from 13-yards out found Tenorio just inside the goal area where he finished with a clutch header to the corner during the four minutes of added time (90+4) to secure the win, 3-2, and the MSL 1 title.

Matansa’s Jack Unsa received the Golden Boot Award for the 11 goals he scored throughout the season.

Published by Marianas Variety - November 20, 2024