Guam trials its U-13 youths for AFC tournament

Guam Football Association is holding a one-day tryout under national coach Sang Hoon Kim for its first U-13 national boys' team, which will be playing in the Asian Football Confederation U-13 Festival from 13 April in Beijing. "This is tremendous as far as the development of the kids and the national program itself," Muni Abdullah, GFA's national development program director, told Leo Babauta of Pacific Daily News "This will be the first time for these players to be national team members, participating in a national tournament like this ... For some of these players, this is what they've been waiting for -- they've been playing soccer for the last five, six or seven years, and now they can see where they are going from here."

To be eligible for the national team, the players must be boys born in 1994 or 1995; have a USA passport that will not expire before the team's trip; and be a resident of Guam for at least two years as of the competition date.

"This competition, one of six slated for GFA in 2007, is just one of many positive steps we are taking in developing our young and talented players for more international play," GFA President Richard Lai said in a press release. "Our commitment in developing football on Guam is evident as we also develop our infrastructure such as the newly paved parking lot, the upcoming administration building, outdoor futsal courts and a second lighted field, all scheduled for completion in May 2007."