TanHoldings FC to play in Guam

A TanHoldings FC player, right, intercepts a pass intended for a Southern United player during their girls U16 division game in the 2018 NMIFA Fall Youth League last October at the NMI Soccer Training Center. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

TanHoldings Football Club’s girls U15 team will be participating in the Guam U15 Girls Friendlies next week.

The club is fielding a 15-player squad in the event that will run from Dec. 20 to 23 at the Guam Football Association National Training Center in Dededo. The team is made up of Judy Ann Andebor, Allysya Mae Angeles, Emalyn and Mary Joy Aniana, Christine Mae and Clair Eliesa Barrozo, Jenny Ann and Julie Ann Capayas, Marinel Falalimpa, Stephanie Flores, Sydney Camille Hinds, Tyana Kristine Hix, Lovely Joey Loyola, and Rizza Relucio. Liz Phan will coach the girls U15 crew and she will be assisted by C.J. Barroza.

The visiting team will be going up against four squads in a 9v9 format and is hoping that the chemistry the players have will make up for the lack of enough practice time to prepare for the short competition. The group is bannered by the core of TanHoldings U16 team that played in the suspended 2018 NMIFA Fall Youth League.

“We only have about a week to prepare before we leave for Guam on Dec. 20 and because of the super typhoon (Yutu), all soccer activities have been put to a stop. It’s been almost two months since the youth league and so the girls hardly ever touched a soccer ball save for when they are playing around at the TSL Sports Complex’s shelter,” Phan said.

“I don’t know what to expect from our opponents, but we always try to play with the cards we are dealt with. The girls are showing up to practice and it’s really great how they start warming up and doing a few drills on their own while they wait for me to arrive. That’s like, the cherry on top in their overall improvement as a team. They take initiative,” the coach added.

Phan also said that the event in Guam is sort of a reward for the players’ hard work in the 2018 season and a great experience for the team.

“The girls have been improving since last year and even had a good start for this season. I think it’s a good reward for them,” Phan said.

Before the Fall league was suspended, TanHoldings managed to win three of its four matches in the girls U16 division, placing second behind the unbeaten Kanoa (4-0-0) in the team standings of the seven-squad field.

“The girls always play their best in every game. Even when they used to finish last in the youth league, they still continue to show up and play. As their coach, that’s one thing I am proud of. I’m happy that our team gets to go to Guam—the girls deserve it,” Phan said.