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The Matao and its staff pose for a team photo in Thuwanna Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar during the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifier earlier this year year. Front row, from left to right (kneeling): Dylan Naputi, Thaddeus T.J. Atalig, Jorge Valenzo, Dominic Gadia, Christian Schweizer, Ian Mariano; second row, from left to right: Joe Laanan (Goalkeeping Coach), Robby De Guzman (Equipment Manager), Iris Fortuna (Team Physio), Jonahan Romero, Jason Cunliffe, Micah Paulino, Ian Adamos, Mark Chargualaf, Ryan Guy, Zachary Deville, John Landa Matkin, Scott Leon Guerrero, Marcus Lopez, Gary White (Head Coach), Elias Merfalen (Asst. Coach), James Okuhama (Asst. Coach), back row, from left to right: Douglas Herrick, Sean Navarro, Travis Nicklaw, Shawn Nicklaw, Dallas Jaye, David Nussbaum (courtesy photo)
PRESS RELEASE – Following the Matao’s first-ever win over Chinese Taipei in the AFC Challenge Cup Qualifier in Myanmar earlier this year and results from other international matches around the world, Guam moved up to No. 176, surpassing its previous best ranking by two spots.
FIFA announced the new world rankings July 4 on its Web site.
“I am extremely happy to see that the hard work of the Matao and its coaching staff continues to pay off,” said Gary White, head coach of the Matao and GFA technical director. “The Matao’s achievements could not have been possible without the unwavering support of Richard Lai and the GFA executives, as well as the support of the island community. The team has produced some great results this year – Guam’s first-ever win over Chinese Taipei and now, another milestone with the island’s new highest-ever world ranking.
“We hope that with the continued support of the community we can achieve even more by competing in more international matches. We are moving closer to our goal of being the fifth element in East Asia much quicker than expected,” added White.
In a 10-year plan for GFA created by White entitled GFA Project 2022, he outlined the plausible goal of reaching the No. 5 ranking in East Asia in ten years time. Guam currently is ranked No. 7 in the region, a highly competitive region that includes Japan and both Korea Republic and DPR Korea, and is just one world-ranking spot behind East Asia’s No. 6, Chinese Taipei. The No. 5 spot currently is held by Hong Kong, a team that narrowly won 2-1 against Guam in December 2012.
Against Chinese Taipei in March this year, Matao captain Jason Cunliffe scored twice and Ian Mariano added another goal for Guam in the team’s 3-0 shutout win. Second half substitute goalkeeper Dallas Jaye stopped a late penalty kick by Chinese Taipei to preserve Guam’s clean sheet, defended by starting goalkeeper Doug Herrick.
The Matao has received invitations to compete in tournaments and friendly matches before the year’s end. A later announcement will be made with details of upcoming competitions.
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GPS Sports Calendar
February 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for January
1st
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
2nd
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
3rd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
4th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for February
6th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
7th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
8th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
9th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
10th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL FINALS
Events for February
11th
Events for February
13th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
14th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
15th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
16th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
17th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
18th
World Athletics Cross Country Championships
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for February
19th
SPRINT TRIATHLON, PACIFIC GAMES QUALIFIER
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 2
Events for February
20th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
21st
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
22nd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
23rd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
24th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for February
24th
Events for February
25th
Events for February
27th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for February
28th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL FINALS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS

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