05 Sep Gadia calls up 20 for AFC U20 Asian Cup tourney
[September 5, 2022 – Harmon, Guam] Proper preparation will be paramount for the Guam U20 National Team, set to travel to Vientiane, Laos for the AFC U20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™ Qualifiers and compete against Japan, Palestine, Yemen, and Laos.
“The overall objective of this tournament is to compete as best as we can as the group that we are, against the unfavorable odds we will face, and without any excuses,” said Dominic Gadia, Guam U20 National Team Head Coach. “We are always looking for players who are actively playing at the highest level possible.
“We are grateful to also have a few players join us who are based in the U.S. and we are keen to integrate them together with the boys who have been working hard here at home,” Gadia added.
Gadia has called up 20 players to his final traveling squad, with the Guam-based players set to depart Guam Tuesday.
The players called up are goalkeepers Miles Ganeb, Saena San Nicolas, and Jariah San Gil. Field players are Joshua Benavente, Levi Buckwalter, Kevin Gatdula, James Gomez, Ka’eo Gonsalves, Curtis Harmon, Christian Kido, Kekoa Kukahiko, Morgan McKenna, Nathaniel Mortera, Bryan Nakamine, Elijah Ochoa, Kai Pahl, Eduardo Pedemonte, Jr., Zaven Piolo, Riley Rama, and Shuntaro Suzuki.
Prior to the tournament, selected players also took part in a training camp in the Philippines in June and played friendly matches against their counterparts from the host country.
Guam will open its bid in the qualifiers at 7 p.m. Laos time on Sept. 10 against the host country.
The tournament’s rigorous schedule will have the team playing every other day after, beginning with a match against Palestine at 4 p.m. Laos time on Sept. 12. Guam’s match against Japan will be played at 4 p.m. Laos time on Sept. 14, followed by Guam’s final match on Sept. 16 against Yemen at 7 p.m. Guam time.
Guam U20 National Team Head Coach Dominic Gadia, center, in orange top, summarizes objectives and strategy with players during a recent U20 National Team training session at the Guam Football Association National Training Center in this file photo. Gadia called up 20 players to the Guam U20 National Team traveling squad to compete at the AFC U20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™ Qualifiers in Vientiane, Laos. The team opens its bid against the host country Sept. 10 and will also play against Japan, Palestine, and Yemen.
Bryan Nakamine leads the attack through midfield during a recent U20 National Team training session at the Guam Football Association National Training Center in this file photo. Nakamine is one of 20 players called up to the Guam U20 National Team traveling squad to compete at the AFC U20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™ Qualifiers in Vientiane, Laos. The team opens its bid against the host country Sept. 10 and will also play against Japan, Palestine, and Yemen.
Guam U20 National Team Head Coach Dominic Gadia, center, in orange top, summarizes objectives and strategy with players during a recent U20 National Team training session at the Guam Football Association National Training Center in this file photo. Gadia called up 20 players to the Guam U20 National Team traveling squad to compete at the AFC U20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™ Qualifiers in Vientiane, Laos. The team opens its bid against the host country Sept. 10 and will also play against Japan, Palestine, and Yemen.
Riley Rama takes the ball forward through the midfield during a recent U20 National Team training session at the Guam Football Association National Training Center in this file photo. Rama is one of 20 players called up to the Guam U20 National Team traveling squad to compete at the AFC U20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™ Qualifiers in Vientiane, Laos. The team opens its bid against the host country Sept. 10 and will also play against Japan, Palestine, and Yemen.
Joshua Benavente controls the ball facing defensive pressure from Nathaniel Mortera during a recent U20 National Team training session at the Guam Football Association National Training Center in this file photo. Benavente and Mortera are two of 20 players called up to the Guam U20 National Team traveling squad to compete at the AFC U20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™ Qualifiers in Vientiane, Laos. The team opens its bid against the host country Sept. 10 and will also play against Japan, Palestine, and Yemen.
Nathaniel Mortera focuses on the ball and opponent during a recent U20 National Team training session at the Guam Football Association National Training Center in this file photo. Mortera is one of 20 players called up to the Guam U20 National Team traveling squad to compete at the AFC U20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023™ Qualifiers in Vientiane, Laos. The team opens its bid against the host country Sept. 10 and will also play against Japan, Palestine, and Yemen.