[sixcol_five_last]

The Matao’s Shawn Nicklaw gets a go to the goal after outpacing Cambodia defender Rous Samoeun during a FIFA international friendly match at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh Tuesday. Guam shut out Cambodia 2-0 in the contest. (courtesy photo)
PRESS RELEASE – The Matao’s combination of high intensity and smart football style of play has continued to stymie its Southeast Asian tour opponents, with Cambodia as the latest victim in a 2-0 shut out at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh Tuesday.
With the win, Guam has made history again by going undefeated in three-straight international matches this year, solidifying an immensely improved national program implemented just over a year ago.
“I think when the senior men’s national team wins, the tremor goes right down to the youth national teams, the National Academy, and the youth league too,” said Matao head coach Gary White. “It gives everybody a boost to work harder. Coming off this tour undefeated, I think it really shows the potential the program has. Now it’s a question of how to continue building on that, to keep moving forward, and getting more games.
“We’re now seeing the fruits of all the continued support we’ve been getting from Guam Football Association President Richard Lai and all the GFA executives back home,” White added.
With tough, uneven terrain conditions, the Matao trusted its long passes and aerial attack more against the scrappy Cambodia team. Ryan Guy scored his first international goal for Guam in the 18th minute after finishing a play initiated by right back Jonahan Romero. Romero’s pass into the box was deflected to Shawn Nicklaw, who sent the ball back into the box for Guy’s header past Cambodia keeper Sou Yaty.

The Matao’s Dylan Naputi breaks through the last line of Cambodia defenders during a FIFA international friendly match at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh Tuesday. Guam shut out Cambodia 2-0 in the contest. (courtesy photo)
“I think the goal was the spark that we needed at that point in the game – it gave us the confidence to go on and finish the game strong,” Guy said after the match. “This was a must-win for us. We really needed to assert ourselves in this game and show that we deserve to be where we’re at now.”
With Guam’s 1-0 lead at halftime, Cambodia deployed forward Chhunly Pagenburg, a German national with Cambodian roots, in his first appearance for the host country in an international match. Pagenburg, who plays for FSV Frankfurt, a second tier Bundesliga team in Germany, aided Cambodia slightly, but could not find a solution to Guam’s organized defensive line in the second half.
Guam’s lead later doubled in the 68th minute when Matao captain Jason Cunliffe exploited an open channel on the left flank and sent in a shot that was misplayed by defender Sok Sovan.
“This is a big step for us – it’s the first time in GFA history for our men’s program that we’ve gone undefeated in three straight matches,” Cunliffe said. “It’s a great feeling and I think it’s going to do wonders for our team.
“Now we’re just full of confidence and we look to build on that, move forward and get results,” Cunliffe added.
White was able to give playing minutes to all of Guam’s substitute players in the uneven match, including second goalkeeper Bijan Gloston. The Cambodia match was the final stop in the Matao’s Southeast Asian tour, which also included a 1-1 draw with Laos. Guam’s undefeated streak dates back to March 6 during the AFC Challenge Cup Group A Qualifier in Yangon, Myanmar, with the team’s first-ever win over Chinese Taipei.
PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

The Matao’s Ian Adamos looks to pass the ball as Cambodia defenders Tieng Tiny (19) and Prak Mony Udom (7) begin to converge on him during a FIFA international friendly match at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh Tuesday. Guam shut out Cambodia 2-0 in the contest. (courtesy photo)

Cambodia’s Rous Samoeun attempts to pull down the Matao’s John Matkin after Matkin burned him down the right flank during a FIFA international friendly match at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh Tuesday. Guam shut out Cambodia 2-0 in the contest. (courtesy photo)
[fbshare url=”http://www.gspnlive.com/gspn/matao-shuts-down-cambodia/” type=”button”] [fblike url=”http://www.gspnlive.com/gspn/matao-shuts-down-cambodia/” style=”standard” showfaces=”false” width=”450″ verb=”like” font=”arial”]
[/sixcol_five_last][useful_banner_manager_banner_rotation banners=53, 38, 83 interval=8 width=120 height=600 orderby=rand]


2022 GSPN I MÅS METGOT COMPETITION
2022 GSPN I MÅS METGOT COMPETITION
GPS Sports Calendar
August 2022
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for August
2nd
Events for August
5th
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
HEX FIGHT SERIES: AMBROSE VS. BRITES
Events for August
7th
YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE
BROGAN WALKER IN TUF FINALE
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for August
7th
Events for August
9th
Events for August
10th
Events for August
13th
48th Tumon Beach 5.5-Miler
GNYFF SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for August
14th
Events for August
16th
Events for August
18th
Events for August
20th
2nd Annual Greg D. Perez Fishing Tournament
GNYFF CHAMPIONSHIPS
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
Events for August
21st
GTF KIDS TRIATHLON
2nd Annual Greg D. Perez Fishing Tournament
Events for August
21st
Events for August
22nd
Events for August
23rd
Events for August
24th
Events for August
25th
Events for August
26th
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
Events for August
27th
Events for August
28th
Events for August
29th
Events for August
30th

Functional Fitness League
STEEL ATHLETICS WINS FFL GYM AFFILIATE CUP

Basketball
SHARKS CLUB WINS THRILLER U18 SUMMER LEAGUE

Football
H.S. FOOTBALL MOVED TO 4TH QUARTER

Functional Fitness League
STEEL ATHLETICS WINS FFL GYM AFFILIATE CUP

Football
H.S. FOOTBALL MOVED TO 4TH QUARTER
2022 GSPN I MÅS METGOT COMPETITION
2022 GSPN I MÅS METGOT COMPETITION
2022 GSPN I MÅS METGOT COMPETITION
2022 GSPN I MÅS METGOT COMPETITION
COMING SOON …
- GNYFF Championship Saturday
- 2nd Annual Greg D. Perez Fishing Tournament on Saturday
- GML Playoffs
- 1st Quarter Sports
QUICK HITS
Front L-R: Frankie Borja, Robert Delos Reyes
Back L-R: Marvin Reyes, Ericka Camacho, Gavin Santos, Nick Rivera, Nikki Tan, Adrian Mora, Ralph Sgambelluri