Guam U15 team finds success, gains experience at EAFF tourney

[August 29, 2024 – Dalian, China PR] Guam’s U15 Women’s National Team returned home earlier this week after its notable run in the EAFF U15 Women’s Championship 2024 in Dalian, China PR, finishing second place in Group B with a 3-1 record.

Guam shut out its first three opponents – Mongolia, Macau-China, and Northern Mariana Islands and finished in second place in the group. In its final fixture against the group’s other undefeated team, Hong Kong-China won 3-0 to take first place over Guam.

Guam’s starting 11 players against Hong Kong-China on the final match day of the EAFF U15 Women’s Championship 2024 pose for a group photo ahead of the fixture in Dalian, China PR on Aug. 25. In the photo in the front row from left to right are: Tianna Magday, Anaia Malaca, Allyana Li, Isabella Su, and Aliana Meno. In the back row from left to right are Iliana Figueroa, Kirida Mendiola, Ahela’aoku’upu’uwai Kaae, Aeva Sablan, Hayden Wilson, and Emme Ettleman. Hong Kong-China finished in first place in the group after defeating Guam 3-0. Guam finished in second place in Group B. Contributed photo from Kristin Thompson, Guam U15 Women’s National Team Manager

Guam scored six goals in four matches and finished with a goal differential of +3. Coming into the final match, Hong Kong-China was averaging over eight goals per match, but only managed three against Guam.

“My overall experience with the Guam team in this tournament was beyond what words can describe,” said Emme Ettleman, the captain selected for Guam’s key match against Hong Kong-China. “We have all learned and grown so much since the start and I couldn’t be prouder of this team. A key takeaway this tournament for us all was definitely learning how to adapt to new people and environments. Despite this being the first time we’ve all played together, we quickly grew chemistry amongst the whole team and not only played for each other but most importantly Guam.”

For many of the players, the tournament served as their first call-up to a national team environment abroad, and for some, their first-ever travel to a foreign country.

“Coming into this tournament, our objective was to gain international match experience and use this as a platform for development,” said Chyna Ramirez, Head Coach of the Guam U15 Women’s National Team. “The experience gained in this tournament was invaluable for each player, and ultimately the team as a whole. Off the pitch, they also saw the level of the teams from top women’s programs in Asia by watching their matches and know it will get more difficult if there isn’t consistency in training and constant opportunities for development that some of the other countries have. Despite the challenges, the journey to success will be worth the while. I told the players, ‘with great risk, comes great reward’ and we must not fear the challenges.

“What made this team so successful was the shared vision of the goal and what they all had to do as individuals to achieve it together. Building chemistry on and off the pitch is a key component because we focus on more than just the athlete,” Ramirez added.

From the team of 20 players selected, Ettleman and teammates Iliana Figueroa, Hope Hutapea, and Allyana Li were all part of the Guam U17 Women’s National Team that traveled to Dammam, Saudi Arabia for a training camp and a pair of friendly matches against the Saudi Arabia U17 Women’s National Team in April. Guam won 3-1 and 3-0 in the matches.

“After having played with the U17s in Saudi Arabia and now with the U15s in China, for the future of the Girls National Program, I definitely see our strength being the heart and passion every girl carries with them on the field,” Ettleman said. “Every time I’ve traveled with Guam, I’ve always been impressed with the hard work shown on the field. Even if we’re not always the strongest, fastest, or most skilled, every girl gives 110 percent no matter what is willing to put up a fight.”

Players in Guam will continue preparations for the upcoming qualification matches of their respective age group’s AFC Asian Cup tournaments. Guam is expected to compete in both the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers and the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers. Based on the ages of the core group of players from this year’s U15 Women’s National Team, they will move up to the U17 level for the AFC tournaments next year.

“My staff and I were blown away with the outstanding results of these talented young ladies in the EAFF tournament,” Ramirez said. “The majority earned their first international match appearance on our girls national team. They all played with heart and passion of playing for their family, friends, clubs, schools, and their island. Football is more than what happens on the pitch. I am excited to see the team’s progress in future opportunities.”