The Southern United Football Club members pose for a photo after defeating MP United, 7-2, to win the U17 girls division title on Saturday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.
The Matansa Football Club members pose for a photo after defeating the Latte Football Club, 3-2, to win the U17 boys division title on Saturday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.
THE Matansa and Southern United football clubs won the U17 boys and girls division titles of the TakeCare Youth Soccer League Fall 2023 after overcoming their adversaries on Saturday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.
Matansa outlasted the Latte Football Club, 3-2, while Southern United outplayed the MP United Football Club, 7-2.
In the boys division championship match, Matansa’s strong start was their biggest advantage, scoring two goals in the opening half.
The team played aggressively, creating an opening for Wataru Kadokura who found the back of the net within two minutes of play.
Latte tried to stand their ground, but Kadokura struck again after breaking through the weakside to extend the deficit, 2-0, going into halftime.
In the second half, Latte managed to shift the tides with constant pressure as Isiah Barcinas slipped through to connect the team’s first goal at the 28th mark.
But Matansa quickly recovered and regained control of the tempo with Jerome Mettao scoring a goal to widen their lead, 3-1.
Barcinas scored again to make it 2-3, but they failed to squeeze in one more goal to force overtime, and had to settle for defeat, 2-3.
Girls division
The Southern United Football Club powered past the MP United Football Club, 7-2, to bag the U17 girls division title.
Both teams started off as equals as they completed the first half at an even 1-1.
But Southern United took over the second half as each of the team’s players on the field played their role well both offensively and defensively. Great coverage led to an easy transition on offense with Rosie Saralu draining back-to-back goals at the 36th and 38th minute marks to give her team the upper hand. When the defense was focused on her, Southern United still had other offensive options with Pia Ngewakl and Tamia Hix stepping up with two goals apiece.
MP United managed to score a solo goal courtesy of Matty Angeles before bowing down, 2-7.
