PRESS RELEASE – The local community will have a chance to meet the players and staff of the Matao, Guam men’s national football team, in its Meet the Matao Day presented by Triple J Auto Group event Sunday at LeoPalace Resort Guam.

The team will begin with its training session at 4:30 p.m. at LeoPalace’s main soccer field for all those interested in watching. After the training session, all players and staff will be available for photographs with fans, autograph signing, and interviews.

There is no entrance fee to attend the meet-and-greet event and attendees will receive a complimentary soccer ball from Triple J Auto Group while supplies last.

The Matao recently made international and local headlines after defeating Turkmenistan on Thursday in Guam’s first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier match at home. The win was also Guam’s first-ever victory in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. The team currently is preparing for its second FIFA World Cup Qualifier match on Tuesday against India, set to kick off at 4:15 p.m. at the Guam Football Association National Training Center.

Matao captain Jason Cunliffe sends a pass to a teammate ahead of Turkmenistan’s Atayev Ahmet during Guam’s first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier match held in Guam Thursday afternoon at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.

Tickets are on sale at the GFA Main Office to watch Tuesday’s match between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday. On match day, tickets may be purchased at the gate entrance beginning at 9 a.m. Ticket prices are based on seating categories, which start from $10 to $25. Gates open at 2 p.m. on Tuesday for the match.

Souvenir items will be on sale at both of the venue’s gate entrances. Particularly at the main gate entrance, a photo booth will be available for a printed commemorative photo during the event.

Outside food and drinks will not be allowed in the venue, as concessionaires – Mosa’s Hotbox and Jamaican Grill, along with Budweiser – will be providing food and beer for sale. Guam’s youth national teams also will be selling non-alcoholic drinks in a fundraising effort for their upcoming tournaments.

All ticket holders will be subject to search by event security prior to entering the venue for outside food and drinks and other prohibited items including umbrellas, folding chairs, pop-up tents, illegal items, and other items which may be deemed as potential weapons/projectiles.

For more information, call the GFA Main Office at 637-4321 during business hours.

PHOTO GALLERY:

Guam’s Shawn Nicklaw finds space and moves past Turkmenistan’s Orazov Suleyman during Guam’s first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier match held in Guam Thursday afternoon at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.

Guam’s Shane Malcolm attempts to get past the defense of Turkmenistan’s Soyunov Shohrat during Guam’s first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier match held in Guam Thursday afternoon at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.

Guam’s Ryan Guy looks to advance the ball forward against Turkmenistan during Guam’s first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier match held in Guam Thursday afternoon at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.

Guam’s John Matkin swoops in to try to take possession of the ball from Turkmenistan’s Abylov Guvanch during Guam’s first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier match held in Guam Thursday afternoon at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.

Guam’s Ian Mariano finds space to get past Turkmenistan’s Rahim Baltayev during Guam’s first-ever FIFA World Cup Qualifier match held in Guam Thursday afternoon at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Guam defeated Turkmenistan 1-0.