Needed improvements identified based on U20 tourney performances

[October 10, 2024 – Harmon, Guam] Upon reflection of the Guam U20 National Team’s performance at the recently concluded AFC U20 Asian Cup 2025™ Qualifiers, Head Coach Dominic Gadia looks to continue upgrading preparations for improved results in upcoming tournaments as well as for individual players aiming for future call-ups to Guam’s national teams.

“Year-round training, testing, and improvements need to be taken more seriously and I believe that’s something the players need to assume more accountability of in the privileged positions they are in,” Gadia said. “I think our youth players need to be pressed more in terms of their overall physical fitness standards. Not being fit and not being prepared are controllables, and should be a non-negotiable at the international level.”

Guam’s team finished the qualification round with a 0-2-2 record and in fourth position in the group. Guam was forced to a 1-1 draw in its opening match with Bhutan and next played to a 2-2 draw with Bangladesh. Against the group’s top two teams, Guam fell to Vietnam 3-0 and to eventual group winner Syria 10-1. Shuntaro Suzuki scored two of Guam’s four goals in the qualification round – one against Bhutan and another against Bangladesh. Curtis “Meto” Harmon scored Guam’s other goal against Bangladesh and Gavin Baker scored Guam’s goal against Syria. All matches were played at the Lach Tray Stadium in Hai Phong, Vietnam.

“I believe we offered glimpses of what we are capable of doing in terms of competing and playing the type of football we are striving to develop in our national teams,” Gadia said. “I have a lot of respect for the character the team showed to equalize in the first two matches. I think six points from the first two matches would’ve been the target and I know we’re not far from achieving that. I’m happy that our problems are somewhat higher up the field now, but I still think we are only giving ‘moments’ of what we are truly capable of.”

Guam played in four straight matches with only a single day in between each to rest. The 23 players called up to represent Guam in the AFC tournament in Vietnam were Dane Agustin, Gavin Baker, Levi Berg, Jason Castro, Nicolas Chargualaf, Landen Diaz, Jonathon Dozier, Jack Gomez, Ka’eo Gonsalves, Curtis Harmon, Josiah Jones, Brandon Kukahiko, Connor Kwan, Erwin Manibusan, Jr., Riku Meyar, Nic Moore, Donovan Moss, Beau Perez, Caleb Sablan, Samuel Stenson, Shuntaro Suzuki, Zian Toves, and Brenden Tuey. Of the 23 players, 14 have come through GFA’s Member Clubs and the Youth National Program and Academy: Baker, Berg, Chargualaf, Diaz, Harmon, Jones, Manibusan, Meyar, Moore, Moss, Perez, Sablan, Stenson, and Suzuki. Agustin, Berg, Castro, and Gonsalves also had been previously called up to the Matao, Guam Men’s National Team for last year’s FIFA World Cup 26™ Qualifiers of the Asian Zone.

Staff members who traveled with Gadia to Vietnam were Ross Awa, Michael Milner, Jeroen Bos, Vance Manibusan, Dr. Louie Tan, Walfred Javier, and Ralph Awa.

While the players from the Guam U20 National Team return to their club teams or university teams to continue training and competing, Gadia is next focused on the success of the Guam U17 National Team, set to compete in the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2025™ Qualifiers later this month in Singapore. Gadia, also Head Coach of the Guam U17 National Team, will first take the team to a short training camp in the Philippines before heading to Singapore.

In Singapore, Guam will first take on Tajikistan on Oct. 23 at 5 p.m. local time (7 p.m. Guam time) and next will play Oman on Oct. 25 at 5 p.m. local time (7 p.m. Guam time). Guam will finish out the qualification round against the host country on Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. local time (10 p.m. Guam time).