Guam national football team

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Guam
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s) Matao[1]
Association Guam Football Association
Confederation AFC (Asia)
Sub-confederation EAFF (East Asia)
Head coach Darren Sawatzky
Captain Jason Cunliffe
Most caps Jason Cunliffe (40)
Top scorer Jason Cunliffe (12)
Home stadium Guam National Football Stadium
FIFA code GUM
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 180 Decrease 11 (15 September 2016)
Highest 146 (August–September 2015)
Lowest 205 (November 2004 – February 2005)
Elo ranking
Current 197 (June 2015)
Highest 197 (June 2015)
Lowest 228 (March 2007)
First international
 Fiji 12–0 Guam Guam
(Guam; August 24, 1975)
Biggest win
 Guam 9–0 Northern Mariana Islands Northern Mariana Islands
(Guam; April 1, 2007)
Biggest defeat
 North Korea 21–0 Guam Guam
(Taipei, Republic of China; March 11, 2005)

The Guam national football team is the national association football team for the United States territory of Guam and is controlled by the Guam Football Association. They are affiliated with the Asian Football Confederation's East Asian Football Federation region.

Since the appointment of Englishman Gary White as coach in 2012, Guam has quickly risen up the FIFA rankings, and reached its highest ever position of 146 in 2015 after impressive victories over Turkmenistan and India.[2]

History[edit]

Guam has a population of just 180,000 and is based in the Asian Football Confederation’s sub-region of East Asia. The team was founded in 1975 and joined FIFA in 1996. It's one of FIFA's smallest Member Associations in population and size. It has competed in World Cup qualification on two occasions. However, Guam was eliminated in the first round of Asian qualification for the 2002 FIFA World Cup after losing against Iran and Tajikistan and was eliminated in the second round of qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup .[3]

Recently Guam has found success by winning the EAFF preliminary competition and qualifying for the semi final round in 2012, 2013, and 2014. Guam finished third during the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualification and they completed their group play with a resounding 3–0 victory over Chinese Taipei for the first time in history. During November 2013's FIFA International games schedule Guam beat Cambodia 2–0 and tied with Laos 1–1. Both these International fixtures were played away at the opponents' home national stadiums. A succession of positive results have lifted Guam to a record-high of 160 on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, and a credible position of 33 of the AFC’s 46 nations.[4]

On June 11, 2015 during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification Group D, Guam clinched their first-ever World Cup Qualifier win beating Turkmenistan 1–0. The game was the first time Guam hosted a World Cup qualifier on their home soil. Just a few days later Guam hosted their second World Cup qualifier to India and defeated them by a 2–1 scoreline. The win was notable considering India's FIFA rankings sits 33 spots ahead at No. 141, their population is in the billions and they were recently dubbed the 'sleeping giants of football' by FIFA.[5][6]

Guam National Team Officials[edit]

Position Name
Manager United States Darren Sawatzky
Assistant coach Guam Mark Chargualaf
Assistant coach Guam Dominic Gadia
Goalkeeper coach England Adrian Creamer
Team Manager Guam Ross Awa
Head Of Sports Science Australia Andrew Young
Physiotherapist England Richard Coombs
Physiotherapist United States David Scott Edwards
Security Director England Ian Lawton
Video Analyst England Daniel Badeau
Media Officer Australia Scott Mcintyre
Media Officer Guam Jill Espiritu
Equipment Director Guam Kyle Legozzi

On 1 February 2012, White was appointed as head coach and also served as the federation's technical director.[7] One of the first and most notable changes was the applying of the moniker Matao, a traditional term that represents courage among the indigenous Chamorro population. The strong connection with the local culture has elevated the nation team to a new level of recognition and popularity within the nation. Another notable change was integrating Inifresi (Chamorro pledge) before every game.[8]

Since White took over Guam has doubled its wins and has seen achieved a record high FIFA ranking. Guam finished third during the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualification and they completed their group play with a resounding 3–0 victory over Chinese Taipei for the first time in history. White has started a 10-year plan which aims to elevate the national team to fifth in East Asia, behind Japan, North and South Korea and China, all of whom have World Cup experience. Due to the success of the Matao, FIFA Futbol Mundial (April 2013 episode #137) and various other world media have featured White and the progress of the Guam national football team. On 30 May 2016, White was appointed as head coach of Shanghai Shenxin in the China League One.[9] As of July 2016 a replacement has not been named.

Previous Coaches[edit]

Players[edit]

Current squad[edit]

The following players were called up to the squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) against the Chinese Taipei national football team and Oman national football team. Caps and goals updated as of 25 September 2016.

0#0 Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Doug Herrick (1989-06-02) 2 June 1989 (age 27) 26 0 Guam Rovers
18 1GK Bijan Gloston (1993-01-11) 11 January 1993 (age 23) 3 0 United States Marshall Thundering Herd
22 1GK Dallas Jaye (1993-06-19) 19 June 1993 (age 23) 6 0 United States FC Cincinnati
2 2DF Alexander Lee (1990-01-05) 5 January 1990 (age 26) 9 0 United States Richmond Kickers
5 2DF Micah Paulino (1992-11-16) 16 November 1992 (age 23) 26 0 Guam Guam Shipyard
6 2DF Mason Grimes (1992-10-21) 21 October 1992 (age 23) 13 0 Unattached
8 2DF Justin Lee (1990-01-05) 5 January 1990 (age 26) 9 0 England South Park
14 2DF Brandon McDonald (1986-01-16) 16 January 1986 (age 30) 9 1 Guam Rovers
17 2DF Scott Leon Guerrero (1990-08-22) 22 August 1990 (age 26) 21 0 Guam Rovers
20 2DF A. J. DeLaGarza (1987-11-04) 4 November 1987 (age 28) 10 0 United States LA Galaxy
21 2DF Nate Lee (1994-05-06) 6 May 1994 (age 22) 3 0 United States Penn State Nittany Lions
3 3MF Jonahan Romero (1988-03-17) 17 March 1988 (age 28) 26 0 Guam Rovers
4 3MF Travis Nicklaw (1993-12-21) 21 December 1993 (age 22) 21 1 United States FC Tucson
10 3MF Jason Cunliffe (captain) (1983-10-23) 23 October 1983 (age 32) 40 12 Guam Rovers
13 3MF Ryan Guy (1985-09-05) 5 September 1985 (age 31) 28 3 United States North County Battalion
19 3MF Jan-Willem Staman (1984-09-01) 1 September 1984 (age 32) 4 0 Guam Rovers
21 3MF Marcus Lopez (1992-08-02) 2 August 1992 (age 24) 20 2 Guam Guam Shipyard
9 4FW Eddie Na (1996-02-12) 12 February 1996 (age 20) 1 0 United States Pacific Lutheran University
11 4FW Dylan Naputi (1995-01-04) 4 January 1995 (age 21) 29 3 Guam Paintco Strykers
12 4FW Tye Perdido (1988-11-28) 28 November 1988 (age 27) 0 0 United States Kitsap Pumas
16 4FW Min Sung Choi (1992-10-16) 16 October 1992 (age 23) 2 0 Guam Rovers
23 4FW Shane Malcolm (1991-10-13) 13 October 1991 (age 24) 17 1 Guam Rovers

Recent call-ups[edit]

The following players have also been called up to the Guam squad within last 12 months. Retired players are not listed.

0#0 Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
12 2DF Isiah Lagutang (1997-08-03) 3 August 1997 (age 19) 0 0 Guam Payless Supermarket Strykers
9 3MF Ian Mariano (1990-10-07) 7 October 1990 (age 25) 31 2 Guam Rovers
15 3MF Shawn Nicklaw (1989-04-15) 15 April 1989 (age 27) 19 2 Canada FC Edmonton
21 3MF Marlon Evans (1997-08-03) 3 August 1997 (age 19) 1 0 Guam Payless Supermarket Strykers
7 4FW John Matkin (1986-04-20) 20 April 1986 (age 30) 17 1 Thailand Chaiyaphum United

Results and fixtures[edit]

2015[edit]

2016[edit]

Records[edit]

Guam registered its first victory over a member of FIFA on 11 March 2009, 35 years after making its debut. They beat Mongolia, by 1–0 in the 2010 East Asian Cup Preliminary Competition,[10] at home in Yona. Christopher Mendiola scored the only goal after 9 minutes.

The second victory was a 2–0 against American Samoa on 1 September 2011, in Group A at the 2011 Pacific Games in Noumea, New Caledonia. Dylan Naputi and Elias Merfalen scored in the second half.

Guam has beaten its nearest neighbor, the Northern Mariana Islands on four occasions from 2007 to 2009. Although a member of the East Asia Football Federation since 2006, the islands are not FIFA members.

Recently they have recorded further victories over Chinese Taipei and Macau in International competition and were narrowly beaten 2–1 in Hong Kong against the host country in December 2012.

1975 South Pacific Games[edit]

Additional information: 1975 South Pacific Games

Guam first competed in football at the 1975 South Pacific Games which it hosted in August of that year. They lost their first ever game to Fiji and then lost to the Solomon Islands to finish at the bottom of Group 2.

1979 South Pacific Games[edit]

Additional information: 1979 South Pacific Games

Guam competed in South Pacific Games Football – 1979[11] in Fiji and was placed in Group 4 alongside New Caledonia and the New Hebrides (now Vanuatu). During the tournament, held in September 1979, Guam lost to New Caledonia and to the New Hebrides as both of the other teams advanced.

1991 South Pacific Games[edit]

Additional information: 1991 South Pacific Games

The 1991 South Pacific Games saw Guam's first matches since the 1979 tournament, twelve years previous. In Papua New Guinea, Guam were in Group 2 and lost their opener to Tahiti on 9 September 1991. On 12 September they lost to Fiji before losing to New Caledonia.[12]

1996 Asian Cup[edit]

Additional information: 1996 AFC Asian Cup qualification

In Guam's first Asian Cup qualification attempt at Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam, Ryan Stepp at 15 years of age became the youngest player to score in Asian Cup qualification in a 9–2 loss to Chinese Taipei.

2002 World Cup Qualification[edit]

Additional information: 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification

Guam entered World Cup qualification for the first time for the 2002 tournament which was jointly held in Japan and South Korea. They were put in Group B of the first qualifying round, against Iran (qualifiers in 1998) and Tajikistan. Each team played each other once in the Takhti Stadium in the city of Tabriz, Iran.

2006 AFC Challenge Cup[edit]

Additional information: 2006 AFC Challenge Cup

The first-ever 2006 AFC Challenge Cup was held in Bangladesh in April 2006. As a competition for Asia's weakest teams, there was no qualification scheme. Guam were put in Group C alongside the hosts, Palestine and Cambodia.

Guam played their first game at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka, on 1 April, in front of 3,000 people and were defeated by Palestine, for whom Fahed Attal scored six times. Bangladesh then defeated Guam on 3 April, with two late goals from Mohammed Abul. The match was watched by 18,000. Three days later 550 people watched Cambodia defeat Guam at the Bangladesh Army Stadium.

2013 EAFF East Asian Cup[edit]

Additional information: 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup

In 2012, the first round of preliminary competition was hosted by Guam. Guam finished first within the tournament advancing to Round 2 of preliminary competition.

2014 AFC Challenge Cup[edit]

Additional information: 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualification

Guam finished third during the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup qualification and completed their group play with a resounding 3–0 victory over Chinese Taipei for the first time in history.

2015 EAFF East Asian Cup[edit]

Additional information: 2015 EAFF East Asian Cup

In 2014, the first round of preliminary competition was hosted by Guam. Guam finished first, advancing to the semifinal round for the third-straight time.

2018 World Cup Qualification[edit]

Additional information: 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Guam entered the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification Group D. Guam hosted the qualifiers for the first time at the Guam FA National Training Centre in Harmon, which was built with financial assistance from FIFA’s Goal Programme. During the qualifying round, Guam clinched their first FIFA World Cup Qualifying win by defeating Turkmenistan. Just a few days later Guam won their second FIFA World Cup Qualifying match beating India. The win was notable considering India's FIFA ranking sits 33 spots ahead at No. 141, the size of India's population and their recently having been dubbed "the sleeping giants" of football by FIFA.[13] [14]

Tournament record[edit]

Main article: Guam national football team results

East Asian Football Championship[edit]

  • 2003 – 5th place in qualifiers
  • 2005 – 5th place in qualifiers
  • 2008 – 6th place in qualifiers
  • 2010 – Qualified to Round 2 (Preliminary Competition winners)
  • 2013 – Qualified to Round 2 (Preliminary Competition winners)
  • 2015 – Qualified to Round 2 (Preliminary Competition winners)

AFC Challenge Cup[edit]

  • 2006 – Round 1
  • 2008 – 4th in qualifying group

South Pacific Games[edit]

Micronesia Games[edit]

  • 1998 – Champions

Philippine Peace Cup[edit]

  • 2012 – Third Place

References[edit]

  1. ^ Mike Nauta Jr. (2012-06-01). "Guam men's national soccer team now known as 'Matao'". Marianas Variety. Guam. Archived from the original on 2014-03-17. Retrieved 2012-06-02. 
  2. ^ http://www.fifa.com/associations/association=gum/ranking/gender=m
  3. ^ http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/228/135/1/index.html
  4. ^ http://www.fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/228/135/1/index.html
  5. ^ http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/06/16/uk-soccer-world-asia-guam-idUKKBN0OW0VC20150616
  6. ^ http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2015/m=6/news=white-it-was-a-historic-event-for-guam-2648294.html
  7. ^ "Guam coach Gary White wants to manage in Premier League". BBC Sport. 11 January 2013. 
  8. ^ http://pacificnewscenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30508:guam-coach-gary-white-wants-to-manage-in-premier-league&catid=38:sports-news&Itemid=152
  9. ^ 关于盖瑞怀特（Gary White） 先生出任上海申鑫足球俱乐部主教练的公告 (Chinese)
  10. ^ Steve Menary (11 September 2009). "Guam on the rise". World Soccer Magazine. Retrieved 30 October 2011. 
  11. ^ hif:South Pacific Games Football - 1979
  12. ^ http://rsssf.com/tablesg/guam-intres.html
  13. ^ http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/06/16/uk-soccer-world-asia-guam-idUKKBN0OW0VC20150616
  14. ^ http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2015/m=6/news=white-it-was-a-historic-event-for-guam-2648294.html

External links[edit]

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