Guam U17 team ready for AFC tournament qualifiers in Singapore

[October 17, 2024 – Harmon, Guam] Established team cohesiveness through previous experience in development programs in Guam and youth tournaments abroad will be one of Guam’s strengths at the upcoming AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2025™ qualifiers in Singapore beginning Oct. 23.

“A majority of the Guam U17 National Team squad selected for the AFC tournament has been together since the last EAFF U15 Championship competition (last year),” said Dominic Gadia, Guam U17 National Team Head Coach. “We are still seeing a trend which was present in the Guam U20 National Team squad from last month’s competition – final squad players are those that have some experience in the GFA Academy or GFA Youth National Team programs. It’s clear evidence that the GFA National Academy program produces quality players; this has and should be more reason why investment in this program is worthy and necessary for Guam football.”

Gadia called up 23 players to the final traveling roster: goalkeepers Dean Nonato, Renzel Reburiano, and Micah Tavarez, and field players Jace Almandres, Carter Bash, Giacomo Bustamante, Orian Cazares, Landen Cruz, David Ma’ase De Oro, Irish Diaz, Rynier Di Ramos, Gabriel Dixon, Micah Elwell, Nathaniel Graves, Justin Kwan, Jhordan Lujan, Mason Manibusan, Xavier Molyneux, Nehemiah Nauta, Malcom Ogo, Jadyel Rink, Lacen Roberto, and Logan Wood.

The team departed Oct. 17 for a short training camp in the Philippines before heading to the tournament in Singapore. In Singapore, Guam will first take on Tajikistan on Oct. 23 at 5 p.m. local time (7 p.m. Guam time) and next will play Oman on Oct. 25 at 5 p.m. local time (7 p.m. Guam time). Guam will finish out the qualification round against the host country on Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. local time (10 p.m. Guam time). Matches will be played in Singapore’s Bishan Stadium.

“We want this group to operate, exist, and perform at its maximum potential during this tournament,” Gadia said. “This means preparing properly, competing properly, recovering properly, and using this experience to propel both themselves and this National team program to the highest levels possible. Having a winning mentality at this level is a non-negotiable, so it is expected that each and every player embodies that mindset for this competition and their future endeavors. I want to see each player grow levels throughout this competition.”

Traveling with Gadia on staff are Assistant Coaches Jude Bischoff and Ralph Awa, Goalkeeper Coach Jeroen Bos, Team Manager Vance Manibusan, Team Doctor Dr. Kevin Estillore, and Team Physiotherapist Walfred Javier.