Guam Matao notches historic World Cup Qualifier win

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08 Mar Guam Matao notches historic World Cup Qualifier win

Posted at 05:08h in Matao Tournaments, Men's: Matao by

[June 12, 2015 – Harmon, Guam] Thousands of fans mobbed players from the Matao for photos and autographs after its historic, first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier win in Guam Thursday at the Guam Football Association National Training Center.

Guam defeated visiting Turkmenistan 1-0 to open the team’s 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier campaign, which includes seven other group-stage matches extended to March of next year. The match also was the first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifiers event held in Guam.

“It’s a great feeling to be part of Guam’s first-ever victory in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, and it’s an even greater feeling to achieve this feat in front of a home crowd that continues to support the team,” said Gary J. White, Matao head coach. “The structure, the organization, the passion that our players have has never been questioned. We looked like we were a team that has been together for a long time – that gives you an idea of how close we are as a family.

“As for Turkmenistan, I’ll give it to them that they have some players, but they just couldn’t break us down. We were sharper when we won possession – I’m very happy with the result,” White added.

Guam showed its prowess early, with Ryan Guy sending Shane Malcolm for a shot opportunity within just two minutes of the opening whistle. Ten minutes later, an own goal by Turkmenistan off a Guy throw-in further rattled the team’s defense and kept the visiting team on its back heels for the majority of the match.

“Our team was just scratching the surface of what we can really do,” said Jason Cunliffe, captain of the Matao. “Going back to training for our next match, there are a couple of things to work out, but come against India, you’ll see an even better Guam football team.

“I think for this being our first World Cup Qualifier together, we did absolutely outstanding – but we still haven’t peaked. There’s still a lot of room for improvement, but it’s a good start. We got three points from this match – we did exactly what we wanted to do and now we’re going to come out and try to get three more from India,” Cunliffe added.

Guam will next play India on Tuesday, kicking off at 4:15 p.m. at the GFA National Training Center in another Group D match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Joint Qualification Round 2.

Before Tuesday, fans and supporters will have a chance to meet the team members in a Meet the Matao Day event Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at the LeoPalace Resort Guam main field, sponsored by Triple J Auto Group and Kia. Attendees will be given a soccer ball while supplies last.

Tickets still are on sale at the GFA Main Office for Tuesday’s match against India. Souvenir items also will be on sale at the GFA Main Office during office hours and at the event’s concession area on match day.

For more information, call the GFA Main Office at 637-4321.
Guam's Ryan Guy enthusiastically celebrates with teammates after his throw-in against Turkmenistan that resulted in the lone goal of the contest during Guam's first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier match held in Guam Thursday afternoon at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.
Matao captain Jason Cunliffe sends a pass to a teammate ahead of Turkmenistan's Atayev Ahmet during Guam's first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier match held in Guam Thursday afternoon at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.
Guam's Ryan Guy looks to advance the ball forward against Turkmenistan during Guam's first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier match held in Guam Thursday afternoon at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.
Guam's Brandon McDonald gets ahead of Turkmenistan's Astanov Umidjan to take the ball through the midfield during Guam's first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier match held in Guam Thursday afternoon at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.
Guam's Brandon McDonald gets ahead of Turkmenistan's Astanov Umidjan to take the ball through the midfield during Guam's first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier match held in Guam Thursday afternoon at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.
Matao captain Jason Cunliffe prepares to strike the ball ahead of Turkmenistan's Astanov Umidjan during Guam's first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier match held in Guam Thursday afternoon at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.
Matao captain Jason Cunliffe prepares to strike the ball ahead of Turkmenistan's Astanov Umidjan during Guam's first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier match held in Guam Thursday afternoon at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.
Guam's Shane Malcolm elects to change direction en route to the goal facing defensive pressure from Turkmenistan's Soyunov Shohrat during Guam's first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier match held in Guam Thursday afternoon at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.
Guam's Shane Malcolm elects to change direction en route to the goal facing defensive pressure from Turkmenistan's Soyunov Shohrat during Guam's first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier match held in Guam Thursday afternoon at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.
Guam's John Matkin controls the ball in the midfield against Turkmenistan during Guam's first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier match held in Guam Thursday afternoon at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.
Guam's John Matkin controls the ball in the midfield against Turkmenistan during Guam's first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier match held in Guam Thursday afternoon at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.
Guam's Shane Malcolm attempts to get past the defense of Turkmenistan's Soyunov Shohrat during Guam's first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier match held in Guam Thursday afternoon at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.
Guam's Shane Malcolm attempts to get past the defense of Turkmenistan's Soyunov Shohrat during Guam's first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier match held in Guam Thursday afternoon at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.
Guam's John Matkin swoops in to try to take possession of the ball from Turkmenistan's Abylov Guvanch during Guam's first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier match held in Guam Thursday afternoon at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.
Guam's John Matkin swoops in to try to take possession of the ball from Turkmenistan's Abylov Guvanch during Guam's first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier match held in Guam Thursday afternoon at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.
Guam's Ian Mariano finds space to get past Turkmenistan's Rahim Baltayev during Guam's first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier match held in Guam Thursday afternoon at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.
Guam's Ian Mariano finds space to get past Turkmenistan's Rahim Baltayev during Guam's first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier match held in Guam Thursday afternoon at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.
Guam's Shawn Nicklaw finds space and moves past Turkmenistan's Orazov Suleyman during Guam's first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier match held in Guam Thursday afternoon at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.
Guam's Shawn Nicklaw finds space and moves past Turkmenistan's Orazov Suleyman during Guam's first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier match held in Guam Thursday afternoon at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.
Guam's starting eleven players pose for a photo before the team's opening match of its 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier bid at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. First row from left to right are A.J. DeLaGarza, Shane Malcolm, Ian Mariano, Ryan Guy, Alexander Lee, and John Matkin. Back row from left to right are Doug Herrick, Mason Grimes, Brandon McDonald, Shawn Nicklaw, and captain Jason Cunliffe. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.
Guam's starting eleven players pose for a photo before the team's opening match of its 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier bid at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. First row from left to right are A.J. DeLaGarza, Shane Malcolm, Ian Mariano, Ryan Guy, Alexander Lee, and John Matkin. Back row from left to right are Doug Herrick, Mason Grimes, Brandon McDonald, Shawn Nicklaw, and captain Jason Cunliffe. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.
Turkmenistan's starting eleven players pose for a photo before the team's opening match of its 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier bid at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. First row from left to right are Muhadov Suleyman, Abylov Guvanch, Orazov Suleyman, Atayev Serdarali, and Hojaahmedov Bahtiyar. Back row from left to right are Atayev Ahmet, Annaorazov Serdar, Saparov Mekan, Gorbunov Nikita, Rahim Baltayev, and Soyunov Shohrat. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.
Turkmenistan's starting eleven players pose for a photo before the team's opening match of its 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier bid at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. First row from left to right are Muhadov Suleyman, Abylov Guvanch, Orazov Suleyman, Atayev Serdarali, and Hojaahmedov Bahtiyar. Back row from left to right are Atayev Ahmet, Annaorazov Serdar, Saparov Mekan, Gorbunov Nikita, Rahim Baltayev, and Soyunov Shohrat. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.