U15 Girls National Team to compete in Singapore tourney

[March 12, 2019 – Harmon, Guam] Gaining experience for development toward increased competitiveness in future international tournaments will be a key objective for Guam’s U15 Girls National Team heading to Singapore for the UEFA-FAS International U15 Girls’ Development Tournament 2019 later this month.

“This tournament is crucial as it creates an opportunity for players to gain experience playing at the international level, learning to deal with the pressure of representing their country, applying expectations on and off the field away from home, experiencing different cultures, and gaining lifetime memories,” said Belinda Wilson, GFA Technical Director, who also is Head Coach of the team. “One of the key findings from previous youth tournaments was that we did not have enough playing experience at this level. This tournament creates a very good opportunity for players to gain caps and experience to further their development and prepare them for future AFC and EAFF tournaments.

“On behalf of GFA, I would like to thank Football Association of Singapore for inviting Guam to compete in this tournament and all GFA Executives for their support in preparing our U15 Girls National Team for this international competition,” Wilson added.

The tournament, part of the UEFA Assist Programme, will begin Mar. 17 through to Mar. 21. Guam will play its opening match against Singapore Mar. 17 at 7:30 p.m. Singapore time. Guam next plays Moldova at 3:30 p.m. on Mar. 19, and plays its final match at 3:30 p.m. Mar. 21 against Cambodia. All matches will be played at Tampines Hub.

“Expectations of the team are to continue learning to play our way and to uphold the National Team Values Expectations and Culture on and off the field,” Wilson said. “Also, we want the team to enjoy the experience and come home with a hunger to improve and represent Guam in future tournaments.”

Players selected to represent Guam are goalkeepers J’Anika Blas, Gabrielle Moser, and Tristyana Santos and field players Annika Almario, Jordan Baden, Sarah Benavente, Mia Rose Borja, Isabella Clement, Olivia Haddock, Anna Jones, Samantha Kenney, Cassandra Kido, Ashley Larkin, Sophia San Agustin, Danni Jo Santos, Samantha Santos, Hannah Tedtaotao, and Reika Tenorio.

Traveling staff are Head Coach Belinda Wilson, Assistant Coach Bryan Cadiz, Goalkeeper Coach Ross Awa, Team Manager Julius Ryan Campos, and Physiotherapist Jessica Angelic Marie de Guzman.

The team will depart Mar. 15.