GUAM CRUSHES MACAU 11-0 in EAST ASIAN CUP

Guam’s Maria Amezola controls the ball facing defensive pressure from Macau’s Justina Lei during a Day 2 match. (courtesy photo)

PRESS RELEASE – The Masakåda, Guam women’s national football team, capped its superior performance in the EAFF Women’s East Asian Cup Round 1 tournament with an 11-0 demolition of Macau, witnessed by a full house of supporters at the Guam Football Association National Training Center.

With the team’s two straight wins, Guam moves on to the semifinal round of the tournament in Chinese Taipei in November. In the semifinal round, Guam will play Hong Kong, China, P.R., and the tournament’s host country.

“This round was a good experience for us – helping us build team chemistry and get everyone on the same page in a real international tournament setting,” said Masakåda captain Simie Willter after the match. “Coach (Sang Hoon) Kim really emphasized that this round is more preparatory and that the next round – the semifinal round in Chinese Taipei – is where we really need to shine. We need to get Hong Kong back and perform at our best against Chinese Taipei and China – that is the round of matches we’re all focused on now.

“With regard to many of the new players who’ve just been called up to the team, I’m really glad we’ve been able to mesh well. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again in November,” Willter added.

Macau’s woes began early when disorganization in the country’s defense on a free kick by Guam’s Paige Surber resulted in an own goal and put the Masakåda up 1-0. Minutes later, Cici Kobinski found a pathway to the goal amid a highly congested box filled with about half of the opposing team’s players.

Guam’s Paige Surber outpaces Macau’s Hoi Ka Kei. Surber has six goals in two games. (courtesy photo)

Macau’s defensive army continued to crowd Guam’s attacking half, but the Masakåda was able to net three more goals before the halftime whistle from Surber, Samantha Kaufman, and Inyssa Perez.

The second half was a similar scenario with the Masakåda utilizing various combination plays to get shots around the Macau defense. Before the final whistle, Surber finished three plays and Kaufman netted two more goals. Willter scored Guam’s other goal in half for the 11-0 shutout.

“Like Coach Kim had told us, the challenge in this match was to keep mentally focused,” Surber said following the win. “Even with a team like Macau relying mostly on defense, once we pass, move together, and set beautiful plays, we’re going to get a goal in. We needed to have this mentality for the entire match to continue to stay ahead.”

Immediately following the victory, the Masakåda was recognized with a legislative resolution and Sen. Aline Yamashita presented each team member and staff with certificates to commend their efforts in developing the local community of families through the sport of football.

A pair of Macau defenders try to stop Guam’s Inyssa Perez from advancing with the ball during a Day 2 match of the EAFF Women’s East Asian Cup Round 1 tournament. (courtesy photo)

In just two matches, the Masakåda have racked up 18 goals, with tournament goal-scoring leader Surber netting six. Kaufman, who also plays for Beach Futbol Club in the United States’ Women’s Premier Soccer League, scored four for Guam, including a hat trick against Macau. Kobinski is the only other player from Guam to score in both matches.

The tournament continues with the men’s sides Wednesday beginning at 3 p.m. with Macau taking on the Northern Mariana Islands. The Matao, Guam men’s national team, will play Mongolia at 5:30 p.m.

There is no admission fee to watch the matches. As an added incentive for spectators, GFA will be raffling off autographed jerseys during each tournament day.

The Masakåda, Guam women’s national team, pose with Sen. Aline Yamashita after a certificate presentation at the Guam Football Association National Training Center following the team’s 11-0 demolition of Macau in the EAFF Women’s East Asian Cup Round 1 tournament. Front row from left to right are: Skyylerblu Johnson and Colleen Naden (Equipment Managers), Paige Surber, Maria Abbey Iriarte, Maria Amezola, Tatyana Ungacta, Koharu Minato, Haley Flores, Kristin Thompson and Aubrey Posadas. Standing from left to right are Asst. Coach Kyung Shipman, Team Manager Lucy Johnson, Samantha Kaufman, Dannell Moyer, Lauren Valla, Asst. Coach Brett Maluwelmeng, Gabby Evaristo, Sen. Aline Yamashita, Simie Willter, Anjelica Perez, Head Coach Sang Hoon Kim, Jena Cruz, Dani Zavala, Cici Kobinski, Inyssa Perez, and GFA President Richard Lai.