PRESS RELEASE – Coaches selected a total of 23 players and six reserve players to train as part of the Guam U14 Boys National Team following a three-day tryout event at the Guam Football Association National Training Center.
Over 50 players registered for the selection event and took part in several skill stations and small-sided games Feb. 4 to 6. Coaches Sang Hoon Kim, Dominic Gadia, Jason Cunliffe, James Okuhama, Pavel Gubenko, Julius Campos, Ralph Awa, and Noah Bamba assessed each player’s performance and contributed to the selection process.
“It was a difficult decision for some places on the team, with several players noted as putting in their best efforts to impress coaches at the tryout sessions,” said Kim, GFA Technical Director for the Men’s Program and Head Coach of the Matao, Guam Men’s National Team. “I want to thank all the players who came to the tryout sessions to showcase their skills and knowledge of the sport, as well as their parents who attended the Open House meeting and supported their sons.”
The 23 selected players includes three goalkeepers: Mason Kenji Becker, Jaydence Calara, and Liam Ralph. Field players are Race Baden, Peter Roy-Jose Barcinas, Gavin Benavente, Nikko Byerly, Gage Cruz, Landen Cruz, Zico Denight, Juan Carlos Garcia, Trey Jacot, Leonard Kaae, Gavin Chase Manibusan, Chima Mbakwem, Jr., Landon Ogo, Malcom Ogo, Stephen Rioja, Cole Sablan, Trystan Santos, Jorju Sato, Henry Taitano, and Enzio Walker. The six reserve players are Eli Brown, Marciano Denight, Cooper Flood, Haruki Okamoto, Henry Rudolph, and Elijah Serineo.
Players selected will be training three times per week at GFA beginning this week. Monday’s session will include a players meeting with coaches.
The U14 Boys National Team is part of the GFA Men’s Program, which also includes the U17 Boys National Team, U20 Men’s National Team, and the Matao. Later this year, Guam will be competing at the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2023 Uzbekistan Qualifiers in September and the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2023 Bahrain Qualifiers in October.
