Schrock’s-eye view, Day 3 of Far East D-1 Soccer Tournaments
Published: May 23, 2012
With 11 broken records in the Far East track and field tournament this week, the D-1 Far East soccer tournaments on Okinawa had a lot to live up to. Day 3 got spicy as the girls kicked off the knockout rounds and the boys wrapped up pool play.
Kanto Plain rivals Nile C. Kinnick and Yokota battled in the last quarterfinal matchup of the day, requiring penalty kicks to decide who moved on. Two misses from Yokota gave Kinnick a 3-1 lead in the shootout as Mari McDonald, Elisha Dareing and Kim Caliliw converted for the Red Devils. Michaela Atchley was the only Panther to score in the shootout, which ended after Anju Yamanaka failed to put her PK away. Kinnick will face Kubasaki in Thursday’s seminal. I got Kubasaki 2-1 over the Red Devils.
Defending champion American School In Japan takes on 2010 champ Seoul American in the other semifinal. ASIJ’s Joey Yamada will continue her solid play in the back, holding the Falcons scoreless. ASIJ 2-0.
Just when it looked like we had the top three seeds locked up on the boys’ side, Kadena came out of NOWHERE, winning its last three matches and earning the third seed. A glancing header from Kadena’s Nick Rogers in the waning seconds bounced around before finding its way to the back of the net, moving Kinnick down to the four seed.
Seoul American takes the top seed with 15 points, no surprise. A battered and bruised Christian Academy Japan side held on to the second seed with 13 points. Kadena’s hot streak puts them at No. 3 with 12 points. After a HUGE 2-0 upset earlier in the day over Seoul, which had already clinched the top seed,, Kinnick was unable to break through CAJ, take the No. 4 seed with 11 points. Kubasaki takes No. 5, Guam High No. 6 and Yokota, still seeking its first win, taking No. 7.
Thanks to sunshine the past two days, tomorrow’s boys’ matches will be played at Mike Petty Stadium, FINALLY.
Bring on Day 4!
