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| Daniel Stafford and Joey Elger after making their first national team appearance for the CNMI |
Joey plays for the CNMI National Soccer Team! Here's the article that was published in The Northeast Georgian about his experience.
A pair of former Habersham County residents recently got a chance to live out a sports dream thousands of miles from home. On Dec. 6, Daniel Stafford and Joey Elger had the honor of representing the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) National Soccer Team in an exhibition match against Keio University of Japan. The CNMI, a U.S. Commonwealth, is a collection of 15 islands in the Northern Pacific Ocean. The biggest of these islands, Saipan, accounts for about 90 percent (50,000 people) of the population of the CNMI. The CNMI is a full member of the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF), along with notable soccer nations such as 2010 World Cup participants Japan and South Korea. They are in the process of becoming full members of soccer’s world governing body, FIFA, and will participate in World Cup qualifying for the first time for the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Stafford, a resident of the CNMI and Saipan for two years, is currently an in-house attorney for Bridge Capitol, an Asiabased investment firm. Stafford is a 1999 graduate of Habersham Central, where he lettered in track, basketball, and football. He taught Spanish at HCHS and coached football and track for the Raiders during the 2005-06 school year. “I’ve been fortunate to compete in various sporting events throughout my life, and the excitement of stepping onto the field is always there to a certain extent, even in the most trivial of competitions,” said Stafford. “However, nothing compares to the feeling of representing your country in an international match. It’s exhilarating yet humbling, and I was proud to be a part of it.”
Elger and his wife, Elizabeth, have been teachers at Marianas High School since September. He is a 1997 graduate of Habersham Central, where he lettered in soccer. He taught World History at the Habersham 9th Grade Academy from 2005-10 and coached the Lady Raider soccer team. “From the training to the match, the experience of being part of the CNMI National Team has been one I’ll never forget,” said Elger. “Coach Seki’s experience and knowledge of the game at its highest level has helped me grow immeasurably as a coach and player. Each day living in the CNMI has made me feel more and more at home, and I can’t think of a greater honor than representing this place I’ve grown to love and respect.”
The 90-minute friendly between Keio and the CNMI, held at the CNMI National Stadium/Ada Field in Saipan, was split up into three 30-minute periods. Keio University, established in 1858, is the oldest institute of higher learning in Japan. Located in Tokyo, Keio is one of the most well-respected university soccer teams in Japan. Stafford started in goal for the home team, and recorded several outstanding saves as the game remained scoreless through the first 45 minutes. Stafford nearly created a few scoring chances through his distribution, as punts were consistently driven deep into the opposition’s half of the field. Stafford remained between the pipes during the second period and was unlucky to fall behind 2-0 on a penalty kick and screened shot from 20 yards out. Keio tacked on a third goal by the end of the second period, and took a 3-0 lead into the final frame. “Although we lost, we still played well,” said Stafford. “I’m excited about continuing to work with the team in preparation for the Marianas Cup in April, and hopefully for world cup qualifying games this summer.”
In the final period, Elger came on at central defense, but the CNMI was unable to slow down a fitter and
more well-organized Keio side as they tacked on four more goals to make the final score 7-0. “Of course, I wish the result would have been different, but I feel confident Coach Seki’s continued work with the team will pay off when the Marianas Cup (vs. archrival Guam) rolls arround in April,” said Elger.
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| The National Team warming up! |
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| Trey, Daniel, and Joey...three Georgia boys on the team |
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| #11 in the programs, #1 in my heart! |
