Matao continue training in India despite pouring rain

Matao continue training in India despite pouring rain

[November 9, 2015 – Bangalore, India] Amidst driving rain in Bangalore, Guam continued to ramp up their preparations for the upcoming World Cup match with India.

The side took to the Bangalore Football Stadium pitch in the late afternoon after rain had been steadily falling for much of the day but that didn’t hamper what was a solid session where the side worked through its tactical approach for the clash with the Blue Tigers.

“What pleased me the most was the application of the team,” said Gary White, head coach of the Matao.

“The conditions weren’t ideal but we were still able to put in place some core ideas for what is an absolutely huge match.”

“There was a real nice tempo to the session and certainly all the players are pushing hard for starting spots which is another pleasing aspect.”

With rain set to continue falling for at least another 24 hours it’s likely to be another wet session for Guam tomorrow with just three days to go before what’s expected to be close to a capacity crowd gathers for the crunch Group D showdown.

Following the Nov. 12 fixture in India, the Matao will return to Guam to play against Asia’s No. 1-ranked country, I.R. Iran at the Guam Football Association National Training Center on Nov. 17. The home match will kick off at 3:30 p.m.

Tickets are on sale at the GFA Main Office daily, with VIP tickets at $25 each, Category 1 and 2 tickets at $20 each, and General Admission tickets at $10 each.

For more information, call the GFA Main Office at 637-4321.

Story and photos by Scott McIntyre

Guam's Jason Cunliffe and Brandon McDonald engage in a training drill during a practice session with the Matao in Bangalore, India. The Matao is set to play India on Nov. 12 for its sixth match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2. The team will return to Guam for a Nov. 17 match against I.R. Iran.
Guam's Jason Cunliffe and Brandon McDonald engage in a training drill during a practice session with the Matao in Bangalore, India. The Matao is set to play India on Nov. 12 for its sixth match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2. The team will return to Guam for a Nov. 17 match against I.R. Iran.
Guam's Dylan Naputi engages in a training drill during a practice session with the Matao in Bangalore, India. The Matao is set to play India on Nov. 12 for its sixth match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2. The team will return to Guam for a Nov. 17 match against I.R. Iran.
Guam's Dylan Naputi engages in a training drill during a practice session with the Matao in Bangalore, India. The Matao is set to play India on Nov. 12 for its sixth match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2. The team will return to Guam for a Nov. 17 match against I.R. Iran.
Guam's Ian Mariano engages in a training drill during a practice session with the Matao in Bangalore, India. The Matao is set to play India on Nov. 12 for its sixth match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2. The team will return to Guam for a Nov. 17 match against I.R. Iran.
Guam's Ian Mariano engages in a training drill during a practice session with the Matao in Bangalore, India. The Matao is set to play India on Nov. 12 for its sixth match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2. The team will return to Guam for a Nov. 17 match against I.R. Iran.
Guam's Jonahan Romero (3) engages in a training drill during a practice session with the Matao in Bangalore, India. The Matao is set to play India on Nov. 12 for its sixth match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2. The team will return to Guam for a Nov. 17 match against I.R. Iran.
Guam's Jonahan Romero (3) engages in a training drill during a practice session with the Matao in Bangalore, India. The Matao is set to play India on Nov. 12 for its sixth match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2. The team will return to Guam for a Nov. 17 match against I.R. Iran.
Guam's A.J. DeLaGarza engages in a training drill during a practice session with the Matao in Bangalore, India. The Matao is set to play India on Nov. 12 for its sixth match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2. The team will return to Guam for a Nov. 17 match against I.R. Iran.
Guam's A.J. DeLaGarza engages in a training drill during a practice session with the Matao in Bangalore, India. The Matao is set to play India on Nov. 12 for its sixth match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2. The team will return to Guam for a Nov. 17 match against I.R. Iran.