10 Dec Roster of 20 players called up to Matao for 2024 EAFF tournament
[December 10, 2024 – Harmon, Guam] Guam National Team Head Coach Ross Awa officially announced his roster of 20 players set to compete for Guam at the EAFF E-1 Football Championship Preliminary Competition in Hong Kong-China this month.
Accepting the call up to play in the EAFF E-1 Football Championship Preliminary Competition 2024 are goalkeepers John-Michael Guidroz and Josiah Jones and field players Levi Berg, Levi Buckwalter, Jason Castro, Joseph Ciochetto, Jason Cunliffe, Daniel Glasscock, James Gomez, Kyle Halehale, Shane Healy, Takumi Ito, Morgan McKenna, Leon Morimoto, Nainoa Norton, Anthony Quidachay, Jr., Oz Rocca, Nathan Sablan, Shuntaro Suzuki, and Alec Taitague.
“I am eager to witness a style of football that will thrill our fans and this group of players are capable to demonstrate our potential,” Awa said. “With a dynamic mix of veteran and emerging talents, we have players ready to embrace an attacking style against the opposition. Leadership will come from the experienced members of the squad, but I am confident that the next generation will also rise to the occasion, showcasing their maturity on the field.”
The team will play against Macau in Group A of the tournament at 2 p.m. local time (4 p.m. Guam time) at the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground. Guam will need only to win against Macau to advance to the championship match against the winning team from Group B, set for Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. local time (10 p.m. Guam time) at Hong Kong Stadium.
Teams in Group B are Hong Kong-China, Chinese Taipei, and Mongolia. The winning team from the preliminary competition will move on to the final round of the tournament with Japan, Korea Republic, and China, PR.
Tournament information is online at https://eaff.com/competitions/eaff2024pre/index.html
Players and staff will meet in Hong Kong-China Thursday ahead of its match against Macau. Traveling staff with Awa are Assistant Coach Christopher Malenab, Goalkeeper Coach Jeroen Bos, Team Manager Vance Manibusan, Physiotherapists Dr. John-Paul Thompson and Walfred Javier, and Equipment Manager Noah Bamba.
Matao authentic jerseys are in stock and available for purchase at https://gufanshop.myshopify.com/
Guam’s Alec Taitague keeps back a Singapore defender to stay in control of the ball in a FIFA World Cup 26 Qualifiers of the Asian Zone match in October 2023 in Singapore in this file photo. Taitague has been called up to the Matao for the upcoming EAFF E-1 Football Championship Preliminary Competition in Hong Kong-China. Guam will play against Macau on Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. local time (4 p.m. Guam time).
Guam’s Jason Cunliffe looks for options on the pitch in a FIFA World Cup 26 Qualifiers of the Asian Zone match against Singapore in October 2023 in Singapore in this file photo. Long time National Team veteran Cunliffe has been called up to the Matao for the upcoming EAFF E-1 Football Championship Preliminary Competition in Hong Kong-China. Guam will play against Macau on Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. local time (4 p.m. Guam time).
Guam’s Kyle Halehale looks to advance the ball forward in a FIFA World Cup 26 Qualifiers of the Asian Zone match against Singapore in October 2023 in Singapore in this file photo. Halehale has been called up to the Matao for the upcoming EAFF E-1 Football Championship Preliminary Competition in Hong Kong-China. Guam will play against Macau on Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. local time (4 p.m. Guam time).
Guam’s Leon Morimoto controls the ball in a FIFA World Cup 26 Qualifiers of the Asian Zone match against Singapore in October 2023 at the Guam Football Association National Training Center in this file photo. Morimoto has been called up to the Matao for the upcoming EAFF E-1 Football Championship Preliminary Competition in Hong Kong-China. Guam will play against Macau on Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. local time (4 p.m. Guam time).
Guam’s Oz Rocca advances with the ball to the goal in a FIFA World Cup 26 Qualifiers of the Asian Zone match against Singapore in October 2023 in Singapore in this file photo. Rocca has been called up to the Matao for the upcoming EAFF E-1 Football Championship Preliminary Competition in Hong Kong-China. Guam will play against Macau on Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. local time (4 p.m. Guam time).
Guam’s Takumi Ito moves to gain possession of the ball in a FIFA World Cup 26 Qualifiers of the Asian Zone match against Singapore in October 2023 in Singapore in this file photo. Ito has been called up to the Matao for the upcoming EAFF E-1 Football Championship Preliminary Competition in Hong Kong-China. Guam will play against Macau on Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. local time (4 p.m. Guam time).