28 Jul Kim calls up 30 for Matao training camp in Korea Republic
[July 28, 2022 – Harmon, Guam] Guam National Team Head Coach Sang Hoon Kim called up 30 players to take part in a training camp for the Matao, Guam National Team, at the Paju National Training Center in Paju, Korea Republic beginning July 30.
“To better prepare for international tournaments, we must continue to test the players’ strengths and abilities in training camps, while also using the training camps for talent identification,” Kim said. “The Matao had a busy year in 2021, playing five international matches against high quality opponents in FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup qualification. Next year, we will have the first round of the EAFF E-1 Football Championship tournament, as well as the next round of joint FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.
“I am very grateful for the kind generosity of the Korea Football Association (KFA) for assisting our team greatly by granting the use of the Paju National Training Center, as well as providing full accommodations and making arrangements at the training center. Also, I would like to thank GFA President Tino San Gil, the Executive Committee, and the GFA management team for supporting the request for this camp and working with KFA. This camp will not be easy for the players selected. I want all players called up to take the camp seriously to stay in contention for a Matao roster spot in next year’s tournaments,” Kim added.
The 30 players called up to the team are goalkeepers John Michael Guidroz, Alexander Stenson, and Jacob Toves and the field players are Shawn Aguigui, Noah Bamba, Joey Ciochetto, Jason Cunliffe, Marlon Evans, James Gomez, Kyle Halehale, Shane Healy, Micah Hennegan, Ricky Katsumata, Aaron Krueger, Alexander Lee, Justin Lee, Nathaniel Lee, Marcus Lopez, Shane Malcolm, Erwin Manibusan, Jr., Jacob McDonald, Morgan McKenna, Devan Mendiola, Anthony Moon, Elijah Ochoa, Eduardo Pedemonte, Jr., Anthony Quidachay, Ryan Quitugua, Jonahan Romero, and Alec Taitague.
Of the 30 players, 13 are based in Guam and 16 are based in the United States. Krueger is based in Germany. Additionally, five players on the Matao roster also were called up to the U20 National Team training camp in the Philippines last month, and two players recently played for the Guam U17 Boys team that competed in the Davis Legacy College Showcase and the 2022 Surf Cup tournaments in California earlier this month. The players will arrive in Korea Republic by July 30 and leave the morning of August. 9.
The training camp schedule includes eight field training sessions, five gym sessions, and four training matches packed into nine days. The first training match is scheduled for August 2 against Soongsil University, followed by a training match the next day against Yangju Citizen FC, a professional team from the K3 League currently ranked sixth out of 16 teams. The Matao will next play against the Korea Republic U20 National Team on August 4. The team’s final training match will be against Suwon FC, a professional team from K1 League currently ranked sixth out of 12 teams in Korea Republic’s top league.
Ryan Quitugua (in Fitogether vest) prepares to pass the ball to a teammate during a recent Guam Men’s National Team training session at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Quitugua was called up for a Matao training camp in Paju, Korea Republic beginning July 30.
The starting 11 players from the Matao training squad pose for a photo ahead of a training match during a recent Guam Men’s National Team training session at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. In the photo are, front row from left to right, Ryan Quitugua, Ricky Katsumata, Devan Mendiola, Shaun-Paul Martinez, and Noah Bamba. In the back row, from left to right, are Alexander Stenson, Anthony Moon, Shane Healy, Morgan McKenna, Micah Hennegan, and Kyle Halehale. Quitugua, Katsumata, Mendiola, Bamba, Stenson, Moon, Healy, McKenna, Hennegan, and Halehale are 10 of 30 called up for a Matao training camp in Paju, Korea Republic beginning July 30.
Ryan Quitugua, Micah Hennegan, Kyle Halehale, and Shane Healy listen as Guam Men’s National Team Head Coach Sang Hoon Kim explains the team formation and strategy ahead of a training match during a recent Guam Men’s National Team training session at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. The four players were among 30 called up for a Matao training camp in Paju, Korea Republic beginning July 30.
Devan Mendiola (in Fitogether vest) takes the ball forward on the left side during a recent Guam Men’s National Team training session at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Mendiola was called up for a Matao training camp in Paju, Korea Republic beginning July 30.
Micah Hennegan (in Fitgother vest) takes the ball to the goal during a recent Guam Men’s National Team training session at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Hennegan was called up for a Matao training camp in Paju, Korea Republic beginning July 30.
Kyle Halehale warms up with a teammate ahead of a training match during a recent Guam Men’s National Team training session at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Halehale was called up for a Matao training camp in Paju, Korea Republic beginning July 30.
Ricky Katsumata (in Fitogether vest) sends the ball forward during a recent Guam Men’s National Team training session at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Katsumata was called up for a Matao training camp in Paju, Korea Republic beginning July 30.
Noah Bamba (in Fitogether vest) controls the ball as he is pressured defensively during a recent Guam Men’s National Team training session at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Bamba was called up for a Matao training camp in Paju, Korea Republic beginning July 30.
Guam National Team Head Coach Sang Hoon Kim addresses players ahead of a training match during a recent Guam Men’s National Team training session at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Kim called up 30 players – including 13 Guam-based players – for a Matao training camp in Paju, Korea Republic beginning July 30.