Small Sided Games Help Youth Players Develop Skills

[September 28, 2015 – Harmon, Guam] – Small-sided soccer matches create an ideal environment for teams with a mix of experienced and new players to enjoy playing the game in the Triple J Auto Group Robbie Webber Youth Soccer League at the Guam Football Association National Training Center.

Beginning this season, the league features a 9-a-side format in the U17B division with a smaller field size.

“The game is at a faster pace with the new format because of the smaller field size,” said Southern Heat’s 17-year-old Allen Reyes, who has been playing soccer for six years. “Also, more ball control is needed and communication with teammates is even more important – overall, it’s a different strategy than 11-a-side, but it helps out new players who are still learning the game.

“I prefer playing the full field, though – I think it requires more conditioning and playing in a bigger space, you really have to use your head to think of the next few plays with your teammates,” added the Merizo resident.

In U17A Week 3 matches, a goal by the Southern Cobras’ Seth Surber forced a 2-2 draw with Wings Black. Russell Perez also scored for the Cobras. Ryo Suzuki and Takumi Ito scored for Wings Black. Quality Distributors defeated the Guam Shipyard Wolverines 5-2 with goals from Jason Kim, Eddie Huang, Camden Camacho, Bradly Lubas, and Samuel Larkin. Zackery Olmstead and Ray Tanayan scored for the Wolverines. The ASC Trust Islanders Betde edged the Strykers 4-3 with two goals from Tevin Pangelinan and one each from Leon Bamba and Caylani Estoy. Aidan Dickson scored twice and Tomas Calvo once for the Strykers. The Wings Red defeated the Sidekick SC with goals from Jordan Jasmin, Derek Okuhama, Inochi Recella, Daniel Kim, Eric Kim, Lars Peterson, Hinako Ito, Fujin Shimoda, and Shashikant Kotwal.

In the U14 division, the Tigers defeated Community First/Days Inn Dededo Soccer Club 2-0 with a goal each from Seung Min Kim and Yu Chan Lee. The Southern Cobras defeated Islanders Isa 2-0 with both goals from Dean Diras. The Strykers defeated Islanders Betde 3-1 with two goals from Joshua Calvo and one from Micah Hennegan. Joshua Bamba scored for Islanders Betde. The Wolverines and Wings Red battled to a scoreless draw in the late match.

In the U12A division, the Islanders Betde defeated Quality to remain undefeated. The Strykers defeated Dededo White 9-1 and Wings Black defeated the Sidekick SC 8-2. Wings Red defeated Tsunami Flood with goals from Taiyo Kanekatsu, Andrew Choi, Nainoa Norton, Justin Joseph, Brian Joseph, and Tayler Bonner. Tumon Typhoons Soccer Club defeated the Tigers with two goals each from Marquel Kuranami and Dominic Cruz. KK Kaminanga, Rico Blancaflor, EJ Cruz, and Mary Nacianceno. A late goal lifted the Wolverines over the Crushers 4-3. Lauren Phillips finished with a hat trick for the Wolverines and Kaden Slack scored once in the win. Nathan Morgan scored twice for the Crushers and his brother Hayden also scored.