20 Dec Key areas for strategic adjustments identified during EAFF tournament
[December 18, 2024 – Harmon, Guam] Key areas for growth opportunities and strategic adjustments were identified in Guam’s performance in the championship match of the EAFF E-1 Football Championship Preliminary Competition following a 5-0 loss to host Hong Kong China Tuesday at Hong Kong Stadium.
“To achieve desired results in competitions, our team needs regular matches that will provide the experience necessary for continued growth and competitive development,” said Ross Awa, Head Coach of the Guam National Team. “Entering this competition with just two sessions over five days – including two matches – presented its own challenges, but I am genuinely proud of the unity the team showed which enabled them to perform admirably during the tournament.
“The Matao’s performance in the tournament reflects a mix of resilience and opportunities for growth. Analyzing their overall showing during the competition uncovers moments of promise that suggest potential for development, while also emphasizing the necessity for strategic adjustments to improve their competitiveness in upcoming tournaments,” Awa added.
In the tournament’s championship match, Hong Kong China took a 2-0 lead by halftime with early goals from Philip Chan and Nicholas, and followed with a pair of early goals in the second half from Chan and Everton Camargo. Luis Eduardo Chebel Klein Nunes completed Hong Kong China’s scoring rout with a goal in the 78th minute.
Guam booked its ticket to the tournament’s championship match after its 2-1 victory over Macau, finishing on top of Group A. Hong Kong China defeated Mongolia and Chinese Taipei to top Group B to face off against Guam for the champions trophy.
In Guam’s victory over Macau, Leon Morimoto and Alec Taitague scored goals for the Matao. Seven players made their debut for the Matao in the match against Macau: starters John-Michael Guidroz, Levi Buckwalter, and Nainoa Norton and substitutes Jason Castro, Daniel Glasscock, Morgan McKenna, and Shuntaro Suzuki. The average age of the players selected to the 20-player traveling roster for the EAFF tournament was just over 22 years old.
The Matao will next play in a pair of friendly matches against the Northern Mariana Islands in Saipan this weekend. Matches will kick off at 6 pm on both Saturday and Sunday at the NMI STC in Koblerville.
Called up to compete for Guam in Saipan are goalkeepers Josiah Jones and Jacob Toves and field players Gavin Baker, Isaiah Baza, Jude Bischoff, Michael Castaneda, Nicolas Chargualaf, Derrick Cruz, Kristian Cruz, Jason Cunliffe, James Gomez, Kyle Halehale, Sean Halehale, Marcus Lopez, Erwin Manibusan, Jr., Morgan McKenna, Kai Pahl, Jordan Rosario, Nathan Sablan, and Shuntaro Suzuki.
Matao authentic jerseys are in stock and available for purchase at https://gufanshop.myshopify.com/
Guam’s Jason Cunliffe attempts to maneuver through Hong Kong China defenders in the championship match of the EAFF E-1 Football Championship Preliminary Competition Tuesday evening at Hong Kong Stadium. Hong Kong China won 5-0 to qualify for the final round of the EAFF tournament set to be contested in 2025. The Matao will next play in a pair of friendly matches against Northern Mariana Islands in Saipan this weekend. Contributed photo by Vince Castro
Guam’s starting 11 players for the EAFF E-1 Football Championship Preliminary Competition championship match against Hong Kong China pose for a group photo ahead of the match Tuesday evening at Hong Kong Stadium. In the photo are, front row from left to right: Kyle Halehale, Nainoa Norton, Anthony Quidachay, Jr., Takumi Ito, and Leon Morimoto. In the back row from left to right are Alec Taitague, Oz Rocca, James Gomez, Jason Cunliffe, Joey Ciochetto, and John-Michael Guidroz. Hong Kong China won 5-0 to qualify for the final round of the EAFF tournament set to be contested in 2025. The Matao will next play in a pair of friendly matches against Northern Mariana Islands in Saipan this weekend. Contributed photo by Vince Castro
Guam’s James Gomez controls the ball between two Hong Kong China defenders in the championship match of the EAFF E-1 Football Championship Preliminary Competition Tuesday evening at Hong Kong Stadium. Hong Kong China won 5-0 to qualify for the final round of the EAFF tournament set to be contested in 2025. The Matao will next play in a pair of friendly matches against Northern Mariana Islands in Saipan this weekend. Contributed photo by Vince Castro
Guam’s Takumi Ito looks for options on the pitch in the championship match of the EAFF E-1 Football Championship Preliminary Competition against Hong Kong China Tuesday evening at Hong Kong Stadium. Hong Kong China won 5-0 to qualify for the final round of the EAFF tournament set to be contested in 2025. The Matao will next play in a pair of friendly matches against Northern Mariana Islands in Saipan this weekend. Contributed photo by Vince Castro
Guam’s Leon Morimoto advances with the ball toward the goal in the championship match of the EAFF E-1 Football Championship Preliminary Competition against Hong Kong China Tuesday evening at Hong Kong Stadium. Hong Kong China won 5-0 to qualify for the final round of the EAFF tournament set to be contested in 2025. The Matao will next play in a pair of friendly matches against Northern Mariana Islands in Saipan this weekend. Contributed photo by Vince Castro
Guam’s Shuntaro Suzuki moves to pass the ball to a teammate in the championship match of the EAFF E-1 Football Championship Preliminary Competition against Hong Kong China Tuesday evening at Hong Kong Stadium. Hong Kong China won 5-0 to qualify for the final round of the EAFF tournament set to be contested in 2025. The Matao will next play in a pair of friendly matches against Northern Mariana Islands in Saipan this weekend. Contributed photo by Vince Castro