U17 men's team off to Vietnam for AFC qualifier

The U17 NMI National Men’s Soccer Team was sent off with well wishes during a sendoff ceremony on Tuesday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium ahead of the AFC U17 Men’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers in Hanoi, Vietnam from Nov. 22-30.

They have been placed in Group C with host Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Macau. They’ll kick things off against Malaysia on Saturday, Nov. 22, then against Vietnam on Monday, Nov. 24. After, they’ll go up against Singapore on Wednesday, Nov. 26, then against Hong Kong on Friday, Nov. 28, and will finally wrap up their campaign against Macau on Sunday, Nov. 30.

The team’s roster features Landon Pudney, Riku Takahashi, Taher Shakir, Theo Joab, Jerz Navarro, Yutaka Kadokura, Ezekiel Babauta, Bennetton Haro, Jerome Meija, Chan Seo Yeom, Bennet Haro, Kapua Hocog, Kian Estolas, Akoni Matsumoto, Landon Springer, Jayson Tagabuel, Arstin Tagabuel, Gauis Ranada, Julio Monserrat, Taiga Namai-Scoggins, Eamon Tang, Moshe Sikkel, and David Xing.

They are joined by head coach Jireh Yobech, assistant coach Ronnel Ocanada, goal keeper coach Atsushi Hanita, video analyst/assistant coach Naruhiko Tsutsumi, team manager Mikky Buno, equipment manager Aloyzeus Angeles, team physiotherapist Hazel Mabasa, and team doctor Brian Briones.

Before the qualifiers, they are flying tomorrow to the Philippines for a training camp.

Remarks were made by NMI Football Association president Jerry Tan and executive committee member Alex Sablan.

Team captain Akoni Matsumoto and Eamon Tang then thanked everyone for their support.

Before the ceremony, eight coaches were recognized for completing the AFC C Coaching Certificate Course. They were Catherine Attao-Toves, Bernadette Horey, Doemiko Flores, Brian Lubao, Daniell Pablo, Sunjoon Tenorio, Jody O’Sullivan, and Aloyzeus Angeles.

This sendoff comes after NMIFA’s 15th Ordinary Congress and celebration of its 20th anniversary last week.

By Leigh Gases