Guam U15 Women’s Team ready for test at EAFF tourney

[August 12, 2024 – Harmon, Guam] Head Coach Chyna Ramirez called up 20 players to compete under the Guam flag for the upcoming FIFA Forward Programme EAFF U15 Women’s Championship 2024 set to kick off Aug. 16 in Dalian, China, PR.

Called up to the team are goalkeepers Ahela’aoku’upu’uwai Kaae and Saya Green and field players Elyse Concepcion, Emme Ettleman, Iliana Figueroa, Marion Finney, Gabriella Flores, Kylie Guzman, Hope Hutapea, Allyana Li, Isa Losongco, Tianna Magday, Anaia Malaca, Kirida Mendiola, Aliana Meno, Charlie Mesa, Khae’ly Olpindo, Aeva Sablan, Isabella Su, and Hayden Wilson.

“Competing in this EAFF tournament will be our steppingstone for next year’s AFC competitions,” Ramirez said. “Many of the players will make their debut as a Guam national player in an international tournament; some have come through our Guam Football Association Academy Program and others have been identified as elite players in various GFA leagues. This experience will provide the opportunity for growth and development for the players on and off the pitch, especially for those taking part in their first-ever international competition abroad.

“My staff and I are extremely proud of this collective group of young, talented women and cannot wait for the team to be put the test against their peers in the region. I’d like to thank EAFF and GFA for providing this invaluable opportunity for the girls,” Ramirez added.

Guam has been placed into Group B and will play in the tournament opener at 10 a.m. local time (12 noon Guam time) Friday against Mongolia. The team takes a break until Aug. 20, with the players returning to the competition pitch to play against Macau-China at 4 p.m. local time (6 p.m. Guam time). The team next plays against the Northern Mariana Islands at 10 a.m. local time (12 noon Guam time) Aug. 23, and will close out its bid in the tournament on Aug. 25 against Hong Kong China at 4 p.m. local time (6 p.m. Guam time).

Group A features Japan, DPR Korea, China PR, Korea Republic, and Chinese Taipei to round out the 10 teams competing in the 2024 edition of the tournament.

All matches will be played at the Dalian Football Youth Training Center. All information about the tournament is available online on the official EAFF Web site: https://eaff.com/competitions/u15wc2024/index.html

From the team selected, Ettleman, Figueroa, Hutapea, and Li were all part of the Guam U17 Women’s National Team that traveled to Dammam, Saudi Arabia for a training camp and a pair of friendly matches against the Saudi Arabia U17 Women’s National Team. Guam won 3-1 and 3-0 in the matches.

Ettleman, Figueroa, and Mendiola are based in the United States and will meet the Guam-based players in China, PR.

The Guam-based players depart Tuesday to China PR. Members of the team staff traveling to China with Ramirez are Assistant Coach Hannah Cruz, Goalkeeper Coach Tristyana Santos, Team Manager Kristin Thompson, and Team Physiotherapist Margaret Ha.