Matao earns ticket to EAFF tournament championship vs Hong Kong China

[December 15, 2024 – Harmon, Guam] Guam is one more win away from qualifying for the final round of the EAFF E-1 Football Championship for the first time in history, following a 2-1 victory over Macau Saturday at the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground in Hong Kong, China.

The Matao, Guam National Team, will play against Hong Kong, China at Hong Kong Stadium Tuesday evening at 8 p.m. local time (10 p.m. Guam time). The winning team will move on to the final round of the region’s flagship tournament, set to be contested in 2025.

“Winning the final match of this tournament will not just be a win for the Matao, but for all our fans, our families, and the whole of Guam,” said James Gomez, who also plays for Claremont McKenna College. “This team has worked so hard to get to this point. We all sacrificed to be here and winning the final would mean so much to us. It will be a reward for all the work we have put in. This National Team Program has so much talent and quality, I’m excited for the future and what we can accomplish.”

In Saturday’s Group A clash with Macau, a follow up from Alec Taitague on a parried shot from Gomez in the 73^rd minute was the eventual game winner in Guam’s 2-1 victory. Leon Morimoto scored Guam’s first goal in the first half in the 31st minute, finishing a pass from Gomez.

“For me, the biggest difference was that we controlled the momentum of the game from the start,” Gomez said. “In the first ten minutes, we created good chances and kept pressure on their goal. Following that, we were able to use this momentum to continue creating chances and eventually putting in our first goal.

“I also think a big difference was our game plan. Coach (Ross) Awa set a plan for us in this match and our ability to follow his tactics and believe in ourselves after Macau tied and stick to our game was crucial to the win. Another big difference was our substitutes – every player that came on had an instant impact to help us secure the win.”

Seven players made their debut for the Matao in the win – starting players John-Michael Guidroz, Levi Buckwalter, and Nainoa Norton, and substitutes Jason Castro, Daniel Glasscock, Morgan McKenna, and Shuntaro Suzuki. The average age of the seven debutants is just over 19 years old. Of the roster’s 20 players, 16 joined the squad in Hong Kong, China, pausing their club and college football commitments for international duty.

“Coming into the match against Macau, we were playing against all odds – for one, coming into the competition on Match Day minus one was not the ideal way to prepare for the competition,” said Ross Awa, Guam National Team Head Coach. “Most of the team flew in on over 14+ hour flights. Although we are familiar with facing adversity and this wasn’t going to be an excuse to not play our brand of football against Macau. Ultimately, the goal was to play with confidence and unity, trusting in each other and the willingness to win.

“We showcased improved tactical awareness, forming more cohesive attacking plays as a unit, which was a key focus leading up to the match. Our overall team mindset was clear: we needed to win to advance. Approaching this match as if it were a final reinforced our determination, elevating the team’s sense of purpose,” Awa added.

Guam’s next opponent, Hong Kong, China, earned its ticket to the final match with wins against Mongolia and Chinese Taipei in Group B play. Hong Kong, China blanked Mongolia 3-0 in the tournament’s opening match Dec. 8 and followed with a 2-1 win over Chinese Taipei Saturday. The winning team from the Guam and Hong Kong, China fixture will move on to the tournament’s final round to face East Asian heavyweights Japan, Korea Republic, and China, PR. Hong Kong, China has previously advanced to the final round of the tournament on previous attempts. Head-to-head, Guam’s best result against Hong Kong, China was a 0-0 draw in 2014.

“A victory in the championship match would signify a major achievement for Guam and elevate the National Program’s status within our region, showcasing the team’s growth and resilience,” Awa said. “It would foster a sense of pride and unity within our community, inspire future generations of footballers, and enhance Guam’s recognition in the global game.”

More information on the match is available on the EAFF official Web site: https://eaff.com/competitions/eaff2024pre/result866.html

Matao authentic jerseys are in stock and available for purchase at https://gufanshop.myshopify.com/