ASC Trust Islanders defeat visiting Nemesis FC to win grassroots tourney

[June 10, 2024 – Harmon, Guam] The ASC Trust Islanders U10 team bested 10 other youth teams, including visiting team Nemesis FC from the Philippines, for the champions trophy of this weekend’s Pacific Grassroots Football Fellowship Tournament Sunday at the Guam Football Association National Training Center.

The Islanders won in a thrilling 1-1 (5-4 PSO) final against Nemesis FC, which came down to a duel between both teams’ goalkeepers for the eventual final score.

Although the Islanders took home the champions trophy and gold medals, all teams benefitted from the summer tournament, making new friends and learning more about the game from each other.

“This tournament definitely was beneficial for us, as on the pitch, the results will serve as a good benchmark for our team’s development,” said Myk Agbayani, Head Coach of the visiting Nemesis FC team. “It’s great for the players to experience international competition at such a young age; they can gauge their abilities and technical understanding of the game against players from other countries.

“Organizers and Guam’s clubs have been very hospitable, and the players have all been kind. Even though this is a competition, the players were all cheering for one another from the different teams, and for my players, this was very memorable for them,” Agbayani added.

The Philippines team arrived in Guam Wednesday to prepare for the tournament, which kicked off Friday morning. Each team played between three to four matches each day leading up to the playoff matches Sunday afternoon.

In the end, the Islanders finished in first place, followed by Nemesis FC. In Sunday’s third-place match, the NAPA Rovers FC defeated the Guam Shipyard Wolverines for the third-place trophy and bronze medals.

Trophies and medals were presented by GFA President Valentino San Gil and GFA General Secretary Joe Cepeda.

Other participating clubs were Crushers FC, Dededo SC, Sidekick SC, Southern Cobras, Bank of Guam Strykers FC, Tumon Typhoons FC, and Wings FC.

“On behalf of GFA, I would like to congratulate the top teams in the tournament, and also recognize all the clubs that participated,” San Gil said. “The tournament was a great opportunity for Guam’s teams and Nemesis FC from the Philippines to not only showcase their skills, but to learn more about the game and different styles of play, while making new friends in the process. The support from the clubs, parents, and spectators was phenomenal.

“I would also like to thank the organizers from the Philippines, who worked closely with the GFA Football Events team on logistics for the event. In the end, the tournament was a success for all involved and we hope to host more of these types of events for our young athletes,” San Gil added.

The delegation of 26 from the Philippines included its booster club of fans, in addition to players and coaches. Agbayani said this tournament was the first for its club outside of the Philippines post-pandemic and the first international trip for the team’s players in the U10 division. Before 2020, the club routinely had teams travel to play youth clubs from other countries. Before this past weekend’s tournament, Agbayani last brought a team to Guam in 2014, he said.

“I do hope Guam can host more tournaments like this,” Agbayani said. “This is a good way for the players to assess their individual development and also development as a team. From here, we can work to make necessary improvements.

“Thank you to Guam Football Association and all organizers. It has been a great experience,” Agbayani added.