Connect with us

GSPN

U16 GIRLS SET TO FACE JAPAN

[sixcol_five_last]

PRESS RELEASE – Guam’s U16 women’s national team will face one of its toughest challenges beginning Sept. 26 when the players face Japan in the championship round of the AFC U16 Women’s Championship in Nanjing, China.

“The goal no doubt is to qualify for the semifinals,” said head coach Brett Maluwelmeng. “To say it won’t be easy would be a massive understatement, as we’ll be going up against defending champion Japan in our first match. However, I dare say with our strategy, hard work and a bit of luck, we can sneak a result.

“We play Iran in our other match and despite our opponents being closer to us in playing level, we will need every bit of strength left for the team to get another good result,” Maluwelmeng added.

The team, whose nickname the “Junior Masakåda” was taken from the island’s senior side’s moniker, made history last year by becoming the first national team from Guam to qualify on its own merit for the championship round of an AFC tournament. The 2012 team defeated Hong Kong 1-0 on an Olympic goal by Maria Abbey Iriarte in a group qualifier match at the Guam Football Association National Training Center and earned a berth in the championship in China.

“I feel our team has come a long way … and I believe the results we want in China are attainable, ambitious as they may be,” Maluwelmeng said. “I believe this group of young women – our Junior Masakåda – have the courage and bravery required to go up against continental giants such as Japan.

“Put that together with their improving tactical and technical abilities and we just may pull off the surprise we look to achieve,” Maluwelmeng added.

The 2013 squad features goalkeepers Mya Jade Sanchez and Kalila Kim. The other team members are Raven Aguon, Paris “Mames” Blas, Hopemary Calip, Erlissa Delfin, Caylani Estoy, Gabby Evaristo, Hinako Ito, Skyylerblu Johnson, Yae Kawauchi, Kayla Kinney, Colleen Naden, Mellanne Rasmussen, Franshay Shippey, Kaeliana Taitano, Sabrina Wiegand and Iriarte.

The team leaves Monday to Nanjing, China and plays against Japan at 2 p.m. Nanjing time Sept. 26 at the Jiangning Sports Centre. The team’s next match against Iran will be played at 2 p.m. Nanjing time Sept. 28.

The Guam delegation also includes assistant coaches Ashley Besagar, Samuel San Gil, Kim Sherman and team manager Lucy Johnson.

A total of 12 teams are in the championship round and are divided into four groups, each vying for a spot in the semifinals. The semifinals begin Oct. 3, with the winning team from Group A, which includes China, P.R., Australia and Bahrain, playing against the winner of Group B – either DPR Korea, Chinese Taipei or Jordan. Next, the winner from Guam’s group, Group D, will face the winner from Group C, which features teams from Korea Republic, Thailand and Uzbekistan. The winning teams will move on to the final, while the losing teams play for third place. Only the top three teams overall will represent Asia at the 2013 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica next year.

U16 Players and Coaches:

Coach Brett Maluwelmeng

Coach Brett Maluwelmeng

Coach Kim Sherman

Coach Kim Sherman

Coach Sam San Gil

Coach Sam San Gil

Coach Ashley Besagar

Coach Ashley Besagar

Coach Lucy Johnson

Coach Lucy Johnson

Raven Aguon

Raven Aguon

Paris Blas

Paris Blas

Hopemary Calip

Hopemary Calip

Erlissa Delfin

Erlissa Delfin

Caylani Estoy

Caylani Estoy

Gabby Evaristo

Gabby Evaristo

Abbey Maria Iriarte

Abbey Maria Iriarte

Hinako Ito

Hinako Ito

Skyylerblu Johnson

Skyylerblu Johnson

Yae Kawauchi

Yae Kawauchi

Kalila Kim

Kalila Kim

Kayla Kinney

Kayla Kinney

Colleen Naden

Colleen Naden

Mellanne Rasmussen

Mellanne Rasmussen

Franshay Shippey

Franshay Shippey

Kaeliana Taitano

Kaeliana Taitano

Mya Sanchez

Mya Sanchez

Sabrina Wiegand

Sabrina Wiegand

[fbshare url=”http://www.gspnlive.com/gspn/u16-girls-set-to-face-japan/” type=”button”] [fblike url=”http://www.gspnlive.com/gspn/u16-girls-set-to-face-japan/” style=”standard” showfaces=”false” width=”450″ verb=”like” font=”arial”]

[/sixcol_five_last]

Ad

GPS Sports Calendar

January

February 2025

March
SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
Events for January

1st

2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Events for February

1st

No Events
Events for February

3rd

Events for February

4th

Events for February

5th

Events for February

6th

Events for February

7th

Events for February

8th

9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Events for February

9th

Events for February

9th

No Events
Events for February

11th

Events for February

11th

No Events
Events for February

13th

Events for February

14th

Events for February

15th

16
17
18
19
20
21
22
Events for February

15th

No Events
Events for February

16th

No Events
Events for February

18th

Events for February

19th

Events for February

20th

Events for February

21st

Events for February

22nd

23
24
25
26
27
28
1
Events for February

23rd

Events for February

23rd

No Events
Events for February

25th

Events for February

26th

Events for February

27th

Events for February

28th

COMING SOON …

QUICK HITS

The father-son duo of Kin and Don Pedro Cruz aboard @shutupandfishguam roped in this monster mamulan Saturday morning off the coast of Hågat. The mamulan fought for over 40 minutes on light drag.
—————————————-
Guam’s Team Yi Impact won the 10th Dreamers Youth Basketball Challenge in Manila, Philippines, taking the U18 girls division.

More in GSPN