Guam Readies for Hosting of First-ever EAFF Rd 2 Tourney

[November 3, 2018 – Harmon, Guam] – The highest-level women’s international football competition to be staged in Guam will kick off in less than a month at the Guam Football Association National Training Center in Harmon.

Teams from the People’s Republic of China, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, and Mongolia will converge on Guam for the EAFF E-1 Football Championship 2019 Round 2 Guam for a coveted spot in the final round of the region’s flagship tournament. Already in the final round are Japan, Korea Republic, and DPR Korea.

The tournament officially kicks off Dec. 1 with a double header first featuring Chinese Taipei playing against Hong Kong at 11 a.m. at GFA. China, PR will next play against Mongolia at 3:45 p.m.

The tournament continues Dec. 3 with China, PR taking on Hong Kong at 11 a.m. followed by Chinese Taipei against Mongolia at 3:45 p.m.

The tournament’s final match day will be Dec. 5 with Hong Kong playing against Mongolia at 11 a.m. followed by China PR against Chinese Taipei at 3:45 p.m.

There is no admission fee to watch the matches.

Guam has played host to the tournament’s preliminary qualification round in four separate editions and has been awarded the second round for the first time in the history of the women’s competition.

“The development of women’s football has been one of the prime interests in the world of football. Guam has been the host of round 1 (of the EAFF E-1 Football Championship) for four consecutive competitions since 2009 and we are delighted to finally bring round 2 to the beautiful island,” said Chung Mong Gyu, EAFF President. “I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Guam Football Association for hosting the competition. They are one of the most experienced hosts of EAFF and we trust this competition will be another successful event held in the island. I also feel grateful for all the support from our official sponsors and Dentsu, Inc.”

China, PR

• Qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 (one of five teams from Asia)

• Second place, 2018 Asian Games Women’s Football Tournament

• Third place, 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup Championship round

On the roster: Wang Shanshan (Golden Boot, 2018 Asian Games Women’s Football Tournament) & Li Ying (Golden Boot, 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup Championship Round)

Chinese Taipei

• Fourth place, 2018 Asian Games Women’s Football Tournament

• Qualified, second round of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Women’s Football Qualifiers, undefeated in four matches

• Women’s Olympic Qualifiers Group A Champions (33 goals scored in four matches, 0 goals allowed)

Hong Kong

• Qualified, second round of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Women’s Football Qualifiers, undefeated in two matches

• Second place, Women’s Olympic Qualifiers Group B (5 goals scored in two matches, 1 goal allowed)

Mongolia

• Champions, EAFF E-1 Football Championship Women’s Competition round 1, undefeated in three matches

• First-time appearance in EAFF competition and first-time appearance in round 2 of the region’s flagship tournament

In addition to the teams, a handful of visiting officials bring FIFA World Cup experience to Guam:

Sachiko Yamagishi (JPN), Referee Assessor

• 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Referee

• Five-time AFC Referee of the Year

Fusako Kajiyama (JPN), Referee

• 2012 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup

• 2014 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Referee

Maiko Hagio (JPN), Assistant Referee

• 2016 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup

• 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup Championship Round

Rohaidah Nasir (SIN), Assistant Referee

• 2012 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup

• 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup Championship Round

Matches may also feature Guam’s two FIFA assistant referees, Shawn Spindel and Kyle Legozzie, in what could be their first-ever international appointments.

Additionally, one FIFA referee and one FIFA assistant referee from the United States, Karen Abt and Brooke Mayo, respectively, have been appointed to this tournament, the first-ever officials from a confederation outside of AFC to officiate in the EAFF tournament.

“As round 2 hosts (of the EAFF E-1 Football Championship) for the first time, Guam Football Association is very much excited to welcome all teams, officials, VIPS, and special guests,” said Tino San Gil, GFA President. “With experience from hosting round 1 in four separate editions, we look forward to delivering a successful tournament with positive experiences for all. We also look forward to each participating team’s matches, all which promise to display a very high level of women’s football never seen before in Guam.”