Quality to Face Table 35 in Final of Guam FA Cup Saturday

For the sixth straight year, Quality Distributors FC will be playing for the coveted Guam FA Cup trophy, this time against Table 35 Espada FC in the 6th Annual Guam FA Cup presented by Bank of Guam and Table 35 Restaurant and Bar at the Guam Football Association National Training Center 7 p.m. Saturday. In five tournaments, Quality has hoisted the trophy three times, conceding the honor only twice – to Guam Shipyard on both occasions, including last year. The team entered the finals of the 2013 tournament after defeating the Southern Cobras 4-1 in the semifinals.

With the match scoreless at the half, Quality gained the advantage first when the team was presented with a penalty kick opportunity after Andre Gadia was fouled in the box.

Gadia made good on his kick, putting his team up 1-0. Moments later, Kaito Inoue scored the eventual game winner, off a rocket from the left side that escaped the reach of Cobras goalkeeper Jonathan Reyes. Quality’s top goal scorer, Scott Spindel added two more goals to the Quality tally before the final whistle. Keith Surber scored the Cobras’ lone goal on a penalty kick in the 67th minute that got past Quality keeper Brett Maluwelmeng.

In the tournament’s other semifinal match, Mark Chargualaf led Table 35 Espada FC’s lopsided 9-1 victory over defending champion Guam Shipyard, that started with only eight players. Chargualaf managed to cram in a hat trick before the halftime whistle and added another in the second half to finish with four goals. Dylan Naputi scored twice for the winning team and teammates Nicolas Roberto, Dominic Gadia, and T.J. Atalig also earned their successful strikes at the goal. Donald Weakley scored Guam Shipyard’s only goal in the 48th minute.

With the win, Table 35 set up a date with Quality Distributors FC 7 p.m. Saturday at the GFA lower turf pitch to determine the tournament’s champions. The Cobras and Guam Shipyard will play at 5 p.m. Saturday for third place. In between the two matches, the GFA Women’s Committee will have a short trophy presentation for the top teams and players from the Bud Light Women’s Soccer League. All are welcome to watch the matches. There is no admission fee.

In last year’s final, Jason Cunliffe scored the game winning goal in extra time to lift Guam Shipyard to a 4-3 victory over Quality Distributors FC. Cunliffe was also awarded MVP of the match during the awards ceremony. Cunliffe currently plays professionally in the Philippines for UFL Division I team Pachanga Diliman FC.

Quality Distributors FC’s Scott Leon Guerrero looks to advance toward the goal facing some defensive pressure from the Southern Cobras’ Napu Topasna during a semifinal match of the 6th Annual Guam FA Cup tournament at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Quality defeated the Cobras 4-1 to punch its ticket to the championship game.

The Southern Cobras’ Jan Flores controls the ball before turning toward the goal against Quality Distributors FC during a semifinal match of the 6th Annual Guam FA Cup tournament at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Quality defeated the Cobras 4-1 to punch its ticket to the championship game.

Quality Distributors FC’s Devin Maluwelmeng moves with the ball toward the goal past the Southern Cobras’ Austin Cruz, while Cruz’s teammate Roy Abril keeps pace on the play during a semifinal match of the 6th Annual Guam FA Cup tournament at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Quality defeated the Cobras 4-1 to punch its ticket to the championship game.

Quality Distributors FC’s Aric Jorgensen looks to pass the ball forward as the Southern Cobras’ Roy Abril looks to try to steal the ball during a semifinal match of the 6th Annual Guam FA Cup tournament at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Quality defeated the Cobras 4-1 to punch its ticket to the championship game.