Guam finishes 1-1-1 in AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers

Guam finishes 1-1-1 in AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers

[July 7, 2025 – Viet Tri City, Vietnam] The Guam Women’s National Team completed its bid in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ Australia 2026 Qualifiers with a 1-1-1 record, with its lone loss to group winners Vietnam in the final day of the competition at the Viet Tri Stadium in Vietnam.

The Masakåda demonstrated resilience and a fighting spirit against a FIFA Women’s World Cup caliber team, but fell 4-0 to the host country side.

“The Masakåda came into the tournament with clear goals and belief in our team,” said Kimberly Sherman, Head Coach of the Guam Women’s National Team. “Not every result went our way, but our football grew stronger with each match marked by structure, discipline, and intent. We took real competitive strides, showing strategic maturity, attacking flair, and the ability to consistently create chances in open play against experienced opposition. The team carried themselves with competitive professionalism and stayed consistent under pressure between halves and matches. This laid a strong foundation for what’s ahead.

“I’m proud of what this team showed and confident in where we’re going,” Sherman added.

In Guam’s other matches in the qualification round, the team defeated the Maldives 3-0 and settled for a scoreless draw with the United Arab Emirates. In Guam’s match against Maldives, Guam’s Rebecca Bartosh netted her first international hat trick for Guam in the contest.

Vietnam finished at the top of the group with a perfect 3-0 record and qualified for the final round of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ Australia 2026. Already in the final round ahead of Qualifiers are China PR, Japan, Korea Republic, and host Australia. Teams advancing to the final round from other qualification groups are Bangladesh, Philippines, India, Chinese Taipei, DPR Korea, and Uzbekistan. Group A winners will be determined later this month following the completion of matches in Amman, Jordan.

During this tournament, the Masakåda debuted Guam Football Association’s 50th Anniversary commemorative kit in its match against United Arab Emirates. The new shirt for 2025 is available for pre-order in GFA’s online shop: https://gufanshop.myshopify.com

Limited quantities will be available. The new commemorative kits will be worn by Guam’s national teams only in 2025 for selected tournaments.

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Guam’s Olivia Haddock makes a run toward the goal with the ball against Vietnam on the final day of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ Australia 2026 Qualifiers at the Viet Tri Stadium in Vietnam Saturday. Vietnam won 4-0. Photo by Ashley Marques / GFA

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Guam’s starting 11 players selected for the team’s match against Vietnam on the final day of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ Australia 2026 Qualifiers pose for a group photo at the Viet Tri Stadium in Vietnam Saturday. In the photo are, front row from left to right: Kaia Villanueva, Lexi Taitague, True Dydasco, Ariya Cruz, Jenna Merrill, and Jenae Perez. In the back row from left to right are Hinengi San Nicolas, Mihaela Perez, Isabella Hara, Mariah Anaya, and Rebecca Bartosh. Vietnam won 4-0. Photo by Ashley Marques / GFA

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Guam’s Jenae Perez rises for a header against Vietnam on the final day of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ Australia 2026 Qualifiers at the Viet Tri Stadium in Vietnam Saturday. Vietnam won 4-0. Photo by Ashley Marques / GFA