By Robert Balajadia
The biggest pair of games in the history of Guam soccer are getting ready to be played Thursday June 11 against Turkmenistan and on Tuesday June 16 against India for the World Cup Qualifiers at the GFA Training Facility.
This will be the first time a World Cup Qualifier will be played on Guam and also the first time Guam’s National team will be playing in front of their home crowd in a professional setting.
“I never thought I’d see the day, let alone be a part of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers on our home soil,” admitted Guam Matao’s team captain Jason Cunliffe.
“I’ve been so focused at the task at hand and it didn’t really hit me until earlier today. From the interviews and training, it’s all been a whirlwind, but I’m absolutely proud to be able to lead our team tomorrow to make history. We will take it one match at a time, but I hope that this is just the beginning of some big things for Guam football!”
“The whole team is pretty excited and we’re expecting to win in front of the home crowd,” added Team Guam’s Scott Leon Guerrero. “We’ve been really coming together as a team these past few days and it’s looking like we’ve got things down pat.”
Turkmenistan (#173) is currently ranked just ahead of Guam (#174). Guam was drawn in Group D back in April, along with Iran (#41) , Oman (#101), and India (#141).
Guam’s big day on the soccer field is coming just a day after the Guam rugby team made headlines with a big win over China in the Asian Rugby Championship Division 3 East match in Jakarta.
Attendance is highly encouraged to witness history in the highest level of play Guam has ever seen in the worlds most popular sport. Tickets range from $10-$15 depending on the seating areas.
Win or lose, history will be made and you witness it with your own eyes!
Guam Roster
1) Doug Herrick
2) Alexander Lee
3) Jonahan Romero
4) Travis Nicklaw
5) Micah Paulino
6) Mason Grimes
7) John Matkin
8) Justin Lee
9) Ian Mariano
10) Jason Cunliffe – Captain
11) Dylan Naputi
12) Nathaniel Lee
13) Ryan Guy
14) Brandon McDonald
15) Shawn Nicklaw
16) Min Sung Choi
17) Scott Leon Guerrero
18) Bijan Gloston
19) Jan-Willem Staman
20) A.J. DeLaGarza
21) Marlon Evans
22) Dallas Jaye
23) Shane Malcolm
Head Coach – Gary White
Asst. Coach – Mark Chargualaf
Goalkeeper Coach – Adrian Creamer
Team Manager – Ross Awa
Team Physiotherapist – Scott Edwards
Team Trainer – Ian Lawton
Team Equipment Manager – Robby De Guzman
Logistics Assistant – Sean Evans
Logistics Assistant – Komei Ezaki
Media Officer – Jill Espiritu
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QUICK HITS
Nadine Del Carmen graduated from Santa Clara University on June 11. She was named captain of the Santa Clara women’s tennis team in her senior year and she will be attending Georgetown University in the fall to pursue her masters and will be playing for the Hoyas women’s tennis team.
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After a star-studded collegiate career at UCLA, Bubba Nickles turns her focus on the Tokyo Olympics with Team USA after the Bruins were eliminated in the College World Series. Nickles endured a broken arm on April 7 and worked her way back into the Bruins lineup for the WCWS. She will go down as one of UCLA’s best softball players in its storied history.
