Masakåda Shortlisted for Round 1 of EAFF Tourney

Masakåda Shortlisted for Round 1 of EAFF Tourney

[June 18, 2016 – Harmon, Guam] – After a series of training sessions and weekend training matches, Masakåda head coach Mark Chargualaf has released the names of 24 players selected to the team’s training camp beginning June 22.

Selected for the week-long training camp are Ariya Cruz, Jena Cruz, Gabrielle Evaristo, Jalana Garcia, Kaycee Hoover, Maria Abbey Iriarte, Skyylerblu Johnson, Samantha Kaufman, Yae Kawauchi, Brianne Leon Guerrero, Koharu Minato, Colleen Naden, Randi Jo Paulino, Anjelica Perez, Inyssa Perez, Arisa Recella, Mya Jade Sanchez, Kimberly Sherman, Demi-Rae Shimizu, Franshay Shippey, Paige Surber, Kaeliana Taitano, Sabrina Wiegand, and Simie Willter.

Guam’s final roster for the EAFF E-1 Football Championship Round 1 Guam will be released at the conclusion of the training camp. Only 18 players will be selected for the final squad, as well as two alternates.

“For the players selected after the first cut, it’s really about shifting to full competitive mode during the training camp,” Chargualaf said. “They’ll need to change their mindsets and fully focus on the upcoming matches, which are right around the corner.”

The team plays its first match of the tournament on June 29 against Macau-China. The Masakåda next play against the Northern Mariana Islands July 3. Both matches kick off at 5 p.m. at the Guam Football Association National Training Center.

Of the 24 players selected to the training camp, only 13 are returnees. Additionally, 10 players named to the squad played in the IIAAG Girls High School Soccer League during the 2015-2016 school year.

“We have several new, young players very determined to get on the team and also to earn a starting position, which is great,” said Willter, who captained the Masakåda in its most recent tournaments in 2014. “Many of the players training are able to play multiple positions, so through the training matches we’ve had, as well as sessions in the upcoming training camp, I believe coaches are looking for the best players to put into certain playing positions to develop the best team chemistry.

“Of course, we’ll also be focusing on fitness, especially match fitness. We know that our opposition has been seriously training too, so we have to be ready for a scrappy game,” added Willter, who was first called up to the women’s national team in 2007 while still a student at Notre Dame High School.

Assisting Chargualaf with the team are assistant coach Rod Hidalgo and goalkeeper coach Sean Evans. Lucy Johnson returns as the team manager and is joined by team trainer Nichole Paulino and equipment manager Chyna Ramirez as part of the staff.

The EAFF tournament also will feature a men’s competition with teams from Chinese Taipei, Macau, Mongolia, and Northern Mariana Islands.

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Skyylerblu Johnson of the Guam Masakåda training squad takes a shot against the Guam U17 men’s training squad in a recent training match at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. The Masakåda, Guam women’s national soccer team, is preparing to compete in the EAFF E-1 Football Championship Round 1 Guam, scheduled to kick off June 29 at GFA.

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Anjelica Perez of the Guam Masakåda training squad chases down the ball after getting past Guam U17 men’s training squad goalkeeper Sena Morimoto in a recent training match at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. The Masakåda, Guam women’s national soccer team, is preparing to compete in the EAFF E-1 Football Championship Round 1 Guam, scheduled to kick off June 29 at GFA.

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Simie Willter of the Guam Masakåda training squad moves toward the center of the field facing defensive pressure in a recent training match against the Guam U17 men’s training squad at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. The Masakåda, Guam women’s national soccer team, is preparing to compete in the EAFF E-1 Football Championship Round 1 Guam, scheduled to kick off June 29 at GFA.

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Jalana Garcia of the Guam Masakåda training squad sends a cross into the box facing defensive pressure in a recent training match against the Guam U17 men’s training squad at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. The Masakåda, Guam women’s national soccer team, is preparing to compete in the EAFF E-1 Football Championship Round 1 Guam, scheduled to kick off June 29 at GFA.

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Jena Cruz, Guam Masakåda training squad goalkeeper blocks a shot by the Guam U17 men’s training squad in a recent training match at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. The Masakåda, Guam women’s national soccer team, is preparing to compete in the EAFF E-1 Football Championship Round 1 Guam, scheduled to kick off June 29 at GFA.

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Colleen Naden of the Guam Masakåda training squad plays the ball in the midfield against the Guam U17 men’s training squad in a recent training match at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. The Masakåda, Guam women’s national soccer team, is preparing to compete in the EAFF E-1 Football Championship Round 1 Guam, scheduled to kick off June 29 at GFA.