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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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Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Makayla Atoigue
ND Royals Rugby Player Makayla Atoigue lays down her Foody’s Fun Facts and shares her dream vacation spot
GPS Sports Calendar
May 2022
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for May
2nd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET #4
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
3rd
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL QUARTERFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
5th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
6th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
7th
GPD HOT PURSUIT 5K
MARIANAS OPEN
ISA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for May
9th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET #5
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
10th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER All-Star Meeting
IIAAG GIRLS BEACH VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG GIRLS SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL FINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
10th
Events for May
12th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL ALL-ISLAND MEETING
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
12th
Events for May
14th
14th JUDICA CRABAO 5K
ISA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
Events for May
16th
ISA TRACK & FIELD ALL-ISLAND MEET
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE All-Star Meeting
Events for May
17th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
18th
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
IIAAG GIRLS MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Events for May
19th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
20th
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL All-Star Meeting
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
21st
Pre-Memorial Day 13-Miler
GETTING GUAM HEALTHY 5K BUBBLE RUN/HEALTH FAIR
ISA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD All-ISLAND MEET
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE FINALS
ALPHA WARRIOR ESPORTS CHAMPIONSHIPS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE FINALS
2022 Guam Track & Field National Championships
Events for May
23rd
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
24th
Events for May
26th
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL FINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
27th
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Events for May
29th
Events for May
30th

Volleyball
VOLLEYBALL ALL-STAR PLAYERS DRAFTED

Volleyball
TITANS COMPLETE PERFECT 2022 SEASON

Baseball
DODGERS HAND TRITONS FIRST LOSS

Volleyball
VOLLEYBALL ALL-STAR PLAYERS DRAFTED

Running/Track
FBLG, BMS CONQUER MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD ALL-ISLAND
Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Makayla Atoigue
ND Royals Rugby Player Makayla Atoigue lays down her Foody’s Fun Facts and shares her dream vacation spot
Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Makayla Atoigue
ND Royals Rugby Player Makayla Atoigue lays down her Foody’s Fun Facts and shares her dream vacation spot
COMING SOON …
- YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE KICKOFF June 4
- Todd Gurley Football Camp on Andersen
- GSPN Boys Volleyball All-Star Game
- Pacific Mini-Games in Saipan