23 Feb Guam set to take on Saudi Arabia in WAFF Women’s Tourney
[February 22, 2024 – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia] The Masakåda, Guam Women’s National Team, will experience its final test at the WAFF Women’s Championship Saudi 2024 – a group stage match against the host country at 8 p.m. local time Friday evening (3 a.m. Guam time Feb. 24) at Hall Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City.
“The girls have really come together over the last two games (against Lebanon and Jordan) and I am excited to see how they play against the host country in our last game,” said Kristin Thompson, Guam Women’s National Team Head Coach. “The girls are hungry for the win and I have all the confidence that they can do it.
“This is a special team, I’m proud to be their coach, they are truly Masakåda. They are truly a sisterhood that I know will only build and become stronger in the future,” Thompson added.
In the tournament’s opener, Lebanon slipped past Guam 4-3 and on Match Day 2, fell to five-time tournament champion Jordan 3-0. Maysa Jbarah, who is among the top ten in the world in international goals scored, scored twice for the winning team. Jordan’s other goal came on a Guam own goal.
“Of course we are disappointed in the result, but I am happy and proud of the girls in how they executed our game plan,” Thompson said. “We have been able to use a variety of tactical plans and strategies and they have adjusted well and really come together as a team. Jordan is a strong team and of course they will most likely win the tournament, so we knew we were in for a battle.”
Jordan is the top-ranked team in the tournament at No. 74 in the Coca-Cola FIFA Women’s World Ranking. Saudi Arabia created its first-ever women’s national team in late 2021 and was ranked for the first time on Mar. 24, 2023 at No. 171. The team is currently ranked at No. 175.
Jordan and Lebanon, both already qualified for the semifinals, play Match Day 3’s first match at 5 p.m. local time (12 midnight Guam time Saturday). Guam will take on Saudi Arabia at 8 p.m. local time (3 a.m. Guam time Saturday).
Both matches will be available to view via Internet Live Stream on WAFF’s official Youtube channel, @WAFFootball
For supporters wanting Guam National Team merchandise, many options – including authentic Masakåda jerseys – are on sale online at https://gufanshop.myshopify.com
Guam’s Mariah Anaya looks toward the goal as she advances with the ball ahead of Jordan’s Ayah Al-Majali in a Match Day 2 match of the WAFF Women’s Championship Saudi 2024 at the Hall Stadium of the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Jordan won 3-0.
Guam’s starting 11 players pose for a group photo ahead of its match against Jordan on Match Day 2 of the WAFF Women’s Championship Saudi 2024 at the Hall Stadium of the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. In the photo are front row from left to right: Aida-Rose Pedemonte, Lexi Taitague, Isabella Hara, True Dydasco, and Aryanna Sanchez. In the back row from left to right are Camryn Cruz, Mihaela Perez, Maile Chargualaf, Mariah Anaya, Rebecca Bartosh, and Jenae Perez. Jordan won 3-0.
Guam’s True Dydasco advances with the ball ahead of Jordan’s Enas Al Jamaeen (No. 8) in a Match Day 2 match of the WAFF Women’s Championship Saudi 2024 at the Hall Stadium of the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Jordan won 3-0.
Guam’s Lexi Taitague gets tripped by Jordan’s Nour Zoqash as she attempts to take the ball forward in a Match Day 2 match of the WAFF Women’s Championship Saudi 2024 at the Hall Stadium of the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Jordan won 3-0.
Guam’s Camryn Cruz leaps to trap the ball ahead of Jordan’s Enas Al Jamaeen in a Match Day 2 match of the WAFF Women’s Championship Saudi 2024 at the Hall Stadium of the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Jordan won 3-0.
Guam’s Aryanna Sanchez gets the ball around Jordan’s Nour Zoqash in a Match Day 2 match of the WAFF Women’s Championship Saudi 2024 at the Hall Stadium of the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Jordan won 3-0.