Bank of Guam Strykers make history for Guam in AFC Women’s Champions League

[August 30, 2025 – Harmon, Guam] The Bank of Guam Strykers FC will have one more test in its first foray into continental women’s club competition with a Match Day 3 fixture of the AFC Women’s Champions League against Khovd Western FC of Mongolia Sunday at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar.

The Bank of Guam Strykers FC starting 11 players selected for the team’s AFC Women’s Champions League match against Stallion Laguna FC of the Philippines pose for a group photo before kick off Thursday evening at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar. In the photo are, front row from left to right: Richelle Ragadio, Giselle Dahilig, Orung Santos, Maya Iriarte, and Ariya Cruz. In the back row from left to right are Ha’ani Byerly, Marlena Connelley, Kimberly Sherman, Aubrey Ibanez, Ryley Munoz, and Yae Kawauchi. Photo from AFC Web site

The Strykers made history as the first team from Guam to play in an AFC women’s club competition when they stepped on the pitch to play against Myanmar’s ISPE WFC on Aug. 25.

“I think this is an important event not just for Strykers FC but for all women footballers from Guam,” said Robert Dickson, President of the Bank of Guam Strykers FC. “The opportunity to represent Guam at the biggest club stage is very exciting and we are thrilled to compete in a tournament of this caliber.”

After winning the 2024-2025 Bud Light G League Women title in March, the team’s journey to international competition began July 3 in a live draw event by AFC to determine the placement of 19 teams entered to the Preliminary Stage of the tournament into five groups. The Strykers FC was drawn into Group A with Stallion Laguna FC of the Philippines, Khovd Western FC of Mongolia, and the host country’s side ISPE WFC. Group winners advance to the final round with seven other qualified teams: 2024/2025 season champions Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC (CHN), Melbourne City FC (AUS), Suwon FC Women (KOR), Tokyo Verdy Beleza (JPN), Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC (VIE), Bam Khatoon FC (IRN) and an additional side from United Arab Emirates, the AFC Web site states.

“Earning a spot to play in the continental tournament by winning the Bud Light G League Women in Guam was extremely exciting and a big accomplishment to make history for women’s football in Guam,” said Ariya Cruz, captain of the Bank of Guam Strykers FC and also the Masakåda, Guam Women’s National Team. “We understand that we have a great opportunity to raise the level of women’s football in Guam with experience gained from the AFC Women’s Champions League.

“The level of play and intensity has been high, as we’re playing against teams that have won its domestic league or cup tournaments in their respective countries. We see and experience firsthand the level of women’s football in the region and I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity we have as a team together – to relish this journey, the experience gained, and the overall love of football,” Cruz added.

With the Bud Light G League Women 2024/2025 season concluding in March, many of the Bank of Guam Strykers team continued training with futsal, eventually winning the GFA Women’s Futsal League title. Following the summer play, the team of just 18 players and five staff departed Guam Aug. 23 to Yangon ahead of its Aug. 25 debut in the continental tournament.

The Strykers roster features Connica Baza, Ha’ani Byerly, Marlena Connelley, Ariya Cruz, Hannah Cruz, Giselle Dahilig, Cadence Guzman, Rylee Guzman, Aubrey Ibanez, Maya Iriarte, Yae Kawauchi, Cassandra Kido, Deseha Mendiola, Caden Milner, Ryley Munoz, Richelle Ragadio, Orung Santos, and Kimberly Sherman. Chyna Ramirez leads the team as Head Coach and is assisted by Thomas Castro. Also on staff are Team Manager Deearah Torre and Technical Staff Franshay Pangelinan. Myanmar’s Thet Hnin Moe joined the team in Yangon as the Team Physiotherapist.

In the Strykers FC’s first match, ISPE WFC won the match 9-0. In the Strykers’ second match, the team faced off against Philippines’ Stallion Laguna FC, which also featured players from the Philippines Women’s National Team that competed at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™. The Philippines’ side won 13-0.

The Strykers’ final match against Khovd Western FC of Mongolia will kick off at 7 p.m. local time (10:30 p.m. Guam time) Sunday, Aug. 31. Both sides will be fighting to earn their first points from the upcoming preliminary stage encounter. All matches in the group are available to watch via Internet Live Stream on Pyone Play Sports Live YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pyoneplaysports?si=UWzGYU8DhVHMhdYL