Xcel Games will bring international competition back to Hawai'i

By Leila Wai
Special to The Advertiser

For the first time in more than a decade, an international soccer tournament will be held in Hawai'i.

The Xcel Soccer Games, featuring teams from Taiwan, Korea, Japan, England, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago, will be held Friday through Sunday at the Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium.

This tournament will give fans an opportunity to see different styles and techniques, and allow Hawai'i players to see how they match up against international competition.

"I'm looking forward to playing international teams," said Jordan Inouye, a member of the Hawai'i Pacific University soccer team who plays defense for Hawai'i Xcel, a team composed mostly of current and former college players.

"How often do you get the chance to play against people from places like Italy and Taiwan?"

"You can't get much higher competition for a tournament like this," said Frank Doyle, an assistant coach for Hawai'i Xcel. Doyle is also the head coach for the HPU men's soccer team.

"There are teams from all over that will make this a really exciting tournament," Doyle said.

At the start of July, 36 players were invited to try out for the Hawai'i team. Two cuts and a month later, the team has been narrowed to 24 players, all capable of representing Hawai'i well, said Doyle.

"We're looking pretty good right now. There is a core of about 12 players that are very good," Doyle said. "The question is how much depth we will have with our schedule. But the player capability is excellent."

The team consists of goalkeepers Adam Sthay and Agustin Mendez; defenders Chono Fernandez, Matt Snyder, Arno Reynolds, Michael Cooper, Inouye, Angel Jaramillo, Kyle Lenahan and Bryan Martin; midfielders Paul McElroy, Zak Kahirane, Nick Paraskevopoulus, Tioni Hackney, James Nebrija, Aaron Delbex-Smith, Diego Yemal and Hee Yong Woo; and forwards Orlando Suazo, Elie Sauma, Nick Chapin, Darren Juliano and Alika Cosner.

The coaches are Phil Neddo, the director of coaching for the Honolulu Bulls Soccer Club, Doyle and Agustin Mendez.

"The team is pretty good," Inouye said. "The teams that we are playing are pretty high caliber. But all our players can play, they are really good players."

Doyle said he hopes the tournament will be a catalyst for more international tournaments in Hawai'i.

"We hope this will get us a continuation of soccer like this (international play) in Hawai'i."

Notes: Games will be shortened to 30-minute halves because each team will play twice a day. ... Because of the number of games, unlimited substitutions will be allowed. ... Admission is free.

Schedule
At Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium

Friday's Games

• 10 a.m.—France vs. Canada
• Noon—Hawai'i vs. San Francisco, Taiwan vs. Germany, Japan vs. Chicago, Italy vs. England.
• 3 p.m.—France vs. Los Angeles, South Korea vs. Canada, Taiwan vs. San Francisco, Italy vs. Chicago, Japan vs. England.

Saturday's Games

• 10 a.m.—Canada vs. Los Angeles, South Korea vs. France.
• Noon—Hawai'i vs. Taiwan, Germany vs. San Francisco, England vs. Chicago, Japan vs. Italy. Consolation and quarterfinal games will also be played Saturday.

Sunday's Games

• 10 a.m.—Semifinal #1.
• Noon—Semifinal #2.
• 3 p.m—Third-place match.
• 5 p.m.—Championship match.