PRESS RELEASE – Guam will look to make necessary adjustments for its next match of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ Australia 2026 following a scoreless draw with United Arab Emirates in the team’s tournament opener Sunday at the Viet Tri Stadium in Vietnam.
“While we’re disappointed with the result, the intent and execution of our football was clear,” said Kimberly Sherman, Head Coach of the Guam Women’s National Team. “We showed the ability to create chances. We will reflect on where we can be more ruthless in key moments and continue to push forward.”
The Masakåda will continue its campaign against Maldives July 2 at 4 p.m. local time (7 p.m. Guam time). The team also will play its final match against Vietnam at 7 p.m. local time (10 p.m. Guam time) July 5.
Guam’s starting 11 players in its AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ Australia 2026 Qualifiers opening match against United Arab Emirates pose for a photo Sunday at the Viet Tri Stadium in Vietnam. In the photo are, front row from left to right: Lexi Taitague, True Dydasco, Ariya Cruz, Melia Kukahiko, Jenna Merrill, and Hinengi San Nicolas. In the back row from left to right are Mihaela Perez, Jaelyn Han, Isabella Hara, Mariah Anaya, and Rebecca Bartosh. Guam settled for a scoreless draw with UAE. Photo by Ashley Marques / GFA
In the group’s other match, Vietnam defeated the Maldives 7-0. The group winner will advance to the tournament’s final round next year, while the remaining three teams will be eliminated from the tournament.
The two opening day matches are available to watch online via the Vietnam Football Federation YouTube channel as well as on the FIFA+ app.
The team debuted Guam Football Association’s 50th Anniversary commemorative kit in its match against UAE. The new shirt for 2025 is available for pre-order in GFA’s online shop: https://gufanshop.myshopify.com
Limited quantities will be available. The new commemorative kits will only be worn by Guam’s national teams in 2025 for selected tournaments.
Only the winning teams from each group will move on to the tournament’s final round. Already in the final round are defending champion China PR, Japan, Korea Republic, and host Australia.
Guam’s Jenae Perez prepares to take a shot against the United Arab Emirates in the teams’ tournament opener of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ Australia 2026 Qualifiers Sunday at the Viet Tri Stadium in Vietnam. Guam settled for a scoreless draw with UAE. Photo by Ashley Marques / GFA