The 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign of A.J. DeLaGarza and Guam made another step forward on Wednesday with the tiny island nation picking up a scoreless draw against Oman at the Guam Football Association National Training Center.
The match was a lesson in adversity for the Matao who were without starting goalkeeper Doug Herrick due to yellow card accumulation. With their starter sidelined, reserve 'keeper Dallas Jaye stepped up beautifully by making 14 saves -- eight of which came in the second half of the contest. Herrick's absence wasn't the only one that Guam had to endure, however, as defensive starters Brandon McDonald and Jason Lee each went down with injuries in the second half, forcing the likes of DeLaGarza and California-born defender Mason Grimes to hold on to secure the point.
After four matches in World Cup qualifying, Guam still find themselves near the top of Group D level on points with Oman. However, the Middle Eastern national hold the tiebreaker over the Matao holding a +3 goal differential which is superior to Guam's -4 mark. The Matao will resume their campaign on Oct. 13 when they face a tough road match against Turkmenistan at Köpetdag Stadium in the Turkmen capital of Ashgabat.
