
By Paradis Jolie Fejerang
Guam’s National Team, Matao, approached the pitch for their second leg match against Singapore with the goal of winning the game with at least a two point difference in order to move on to the next rounds in qualifying for FIFA World Cup 26™. In the end, Singapore put a damper on the home team’s dream with a 1-0 victory.
With their experience against Singapore, the Matao defense showed their determination to keep their opponent’s offense at bay, displaying improvement and a gain in confidence in comparison to their last match.
Matao head coach Ross Awa acknowledged the culture of the island, knowing that the team was looking to represent the island well on their home turf. The overwhelming support for Matao by the locals at the GFA National Training Center must have added to the drive as a boost in emotion was evident throughout the game.

At halftime, the score was an even 0-0 and the energy of both the Matao and Singapore teams held strong into the second half despite the intense heat and dry turf.
As stakes were raised with one half left and two points still yet to be scored, Matao’s offense grew hungrier. There were some unlucky missed shots and an impressive header by Travis Nicklaw that had the crowd, coaches and teams on edge as the ball neared the Singapore goal.
With only about ten minutes of game time left, Singapore scored the only successful shot of the match. Feeling an immediate mood shift from the silenced crowd, the Matao team fought to keep their motivation up for the few remaining minutes of the game but were ultimately left unsuccessful with the game finishing on a 1-0 loss for Guam.
Post match, Awa regarded his sentiments for the team. “Overall, the guys…played well. There are a few things that we need to brush up on. Hopefully, in the future, we’ll continue to fight.”
Though the World Cup Qualifiers ended for Guam on a sour note, Awa shines a light for Guam’s future in fútbol, with emphasis on the future for such a young team. “I did have a mix of players from senior level to…fifteen years old,” Awa shares.
“The goal is to provide opportunities for our young players that have great talent…to ensure that there is consistency within the program.”
Guam looks forward to the future of Matao and congratulates the team on their impressive journey thus far.
PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
All Photos by Christine Bansil















GPS Sports Calendar
December 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for November
1st
ISA BOYS SOCCER
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
2nd
IRON LEGENDS THROWDOWN
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
4th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER
ISA BOYS SOCCER
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
5th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for December
5th
Events for December
7th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER PLAYOFFS
Events for December
9th
40th GRC PLUMERIA ROAD RACE
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for December
10th
TOUR OF GUAM 2023
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
Events for December
11th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for December
12th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
12th
Events for December
14th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER FINALS
Events for December
15th
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for December
16th
3rd GUAM NINJA CHAMPIONSHIP
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
16th
Events for December
18th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER ALL-ISLAND MEETING
Events for December
19th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
19th
Events for December
23rd
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
ISA HS BASEBALL FINALS
Events for December
23rd
Events for December
24th
Events for December
25th
Events for December
27th
Events for December
29th
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Events for December
30th

Baseball
ROYALS DOWN FRIARS IN STATEMENT GAME

Basketball
3×3 HOOPS REPEAT AS GOLDEN BOYS

Basketball
RAPADAS LEADS WILD COUGAR COMEBACK

Baseball
GUAM HOSTS KIWIS IN U15 BASEBALL

Basketball
SHARKS FEND OFF DOLPHINS IN GIRLS HOOPS

Baseball
ROYALS DOWN FRIARS IN STATEMENT GAME
COMING SOON …
- IIAAG Girls Basketball Playoffs