30 selected to preliminary Matao domestic training squad

[June 29, 2021 – Harmon, Guam] Guam Football Association Technical Director Sang Hoon Kim announced his selection of 30 players to the preliminary Guam National Team domestic squad to train for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ Playoff Round against Cambodia.

The final selection of players, including players training and playing in leagues off-island, will be made closer to match dates in September. Closed training sessions for the domestic squad will begin July 1 and will run twice a week on the pitch and once a week in the gym.

“We have many young players who have shown their potential to represent Guam at the highest level and those selected to this training squad are deserving of a spot on the final roster if they work hard for it,” Kim said. “It’s important that we actively and consistently work toward integrating talented young players into training to ensure long-term sustainability within the program.

“Particularly with this preliminary selection of 30 local players, we will be able to narrow the focus on these players and build on team tactics to best prepare for upcoming matches,” Kim added.

Selected to the preliminary domestic training squad are goalkeepers Sean Evans and Alan Aranas and field players Noah Bamba, Michael Castaneda, Mark Chargualaf, Jeremy Copple, Jason Cunliffe, Nichika Fermin, Daniel Glasscock, Shane Healy, Martin Iseke, Matt Iseke, Takumi Ito, Christian Kido, Isiah Lagutang, James Lee, Marcus Lopez, Shaun-Paul Martinez, Morgan McKenna, Devan Mendiola, Anthony Moon, Bryan Nakamine, Robert Niu, Nainoa Norton, Kai Pahl, Ryan Quitugua, E.J. Sablan, Nate Sablan, Taiga Simon, and Andrew Stenson.

Of the 30 players, close to half had been training with the Guam U20 Manhoben squad or with their U.S. college teams.

On Jun. 24, the Matao, Guam National Team, learned of its next opponent – Cambodia – during the AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ Playoff Round Official Draw held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The other Playoff Round pairing is Chinese Taipei and Indonesia. The Playoff Round, and next round of qualification, currently are set in a home and away format. More details on venues and times will be made at a later date.

In Guam’s most recent fixture against Cambodia, the Matao won 2-0 in a 2013 international friendly match held in Phnom Penh.

Later this year, Guam also will be competing in the EAFF E-1 Football Championship Preliminary Competition Round 1.