One time after training.

In the football world, this is also “East Asia”.

　　In the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It’s early afternoon in Guam, an United States autonomous, self-governing quasi-state.
　 On a black asphalt roadside, a group of brown skinned, round faced boys wearing baseball caps, basketball uniforms and American football cleats are gathered chatting on silver mountain bikes.
“A football pitch?? Nah I don’t know where that is…”　The boy’s clothes and answer decisively sum up the football situation on this island.

　For Guam’s youngsters football is simply a hobby. No matter how far away from the mainland they are, this is still a part of America and once they pass 18 they forget football and their energies are devoted to university studies, looking for a job or to work.
Making the best of this situation, Guam football is focusing on their dream of qualifying for the U-17 Championships and Women’s U-19 Championships.
　 43 year old, Hong Kong born Richard Lai is the head of Guam’s football association. He moved to Guam with his parents when he was 15. He smoothes the creases on his face as he speaks of his plan to achieve these goals: “We have started building two grass pitches and a training center with support that we got from FIFA and the JFA.”　On the summer island it is too hot during the day to train. Everyone is amateur so practice is after work/ school finishes and always seems to be after sunset. A condition of getting stronger is the necessity for facilities suitable for night time play.　

One day in the near future will those boys be wearing football shorts and heading for the soccer pitch on their mountain bikes?