Sport
‘Even if we are a small island, we have a big heart’: Northern Mariana Islands reflect on AFC adventure
A whirlwind AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifying adventure in Shepparton has reignited the Northern Mariana Islands’ soccer flame.
The small island nation in the middle of the Pacific Ocean was questioning whether international competition was for it last month, after a 16-0 loss to Jordan in the under-20s, however, plenty of encouragement has helped it reconsider these thoughts.
“This was a wonderful experience,” head coach Michiteru Mita said after his side played its final game in Shepparton.
“We learned many things, not only about football but outside the pitch.”
Improving throughout the tournament the Islands turned the heartbreak of a 23-0 loss to Australia into gallant showings against China and Cambodia.
The NMI mentor said the encouragement of the Australian people helped inspire the team’s efforts, with involvement in international competitions key to the development of the nation.
“This puts our heads up, it’s another motivation, this is now the start as these guys prepare for the under-20s,” he said.
Making headlines alongside Mita was goalkeeper Vincente Jose Reyes, with the man between the sticks bouncing back from the 23-0 loss in emphatic fashion.
“I started to have doubts, but everyone here and everyone back home just helped me get back on my feet and helped me do the best that I can,” Reyes said.
“We wanted to come back and show what the NMI is really made of and show that even if we are a small island, we have a big heart and we never give up.”
Reyes said growing up he watched people play games against national teams from Guam and Saipan, with the opportunity to travel off island something incredibly special.
“I’d just hear their experiences and I wanted to experience it for myself,” he said.
“In the Australia game it was very cold, back home on the island it’s sunny, so I guess everyone’s body was just shivering.
“But the China game it felt like home, it really felt like everyone just wanted to give it their all and especially this game (against Cambodia), it’s still a little bit too cold, but we just had to fight and gave it our all."
Inspiring his players not to give up coach Mita said he was proud of the way his side pushed for a goal in the final match, with the under-17 competition important for building the future under-20 line-up.
“Also our challenge is that many people after they graduate high school go to college or the military, so it is difficult to organise a men’s team, but I believe this experience will encourage other people and they will want to get involved more in the national team,” he said.
“So we have to continue to retain the players, not to stop, that’s why this international tournament is meaningful.”