“We were adamant we didn’t want to play games in March and June. Player safety has to come first."

There is even some speculation there may be no international games in the region till next year. 

“I’m a big believer in the scope of practice, so if the medical experts have their say, we’ll abide by that. But I think you have to put people first.

“It’s a tough one as people will be disagreeing either way."

The Matao's next games are scheduled for October and November though they remain under a cloud as the virus situation remains unclear across the region. 

East Asian Football Federation clashes were slated for June and July but they will also be canned as the region deals with the global pandemic. 

What is clear is that Dodd, in his third year in the Guam hot seat, is relishing his opportunity at international level and is learning every day from his unique role in Asian football. 

Dodd's Guam versus China in Guangzhou

Coaching against the likes of Lippi of China and others is supercharging his knowledge and experience. 

“I’m really enjoying it. Learning every day,” he added. 

Guam’s lockdown is till the end of May and quarantine restrictions of two weeks apply to those who fly back in. 

At the time of writing, Guam has 148 confirmed cases, with 126 recovered, and five deaths. 

Worryingly, nearly 3,000 sailors aboard a US Navy aircraft carrier were brought onto the tiny Pacific island with a coronavirus outbreak onboard and 777 reportedly testing positive. 

And with Guam being such a small island and a popular tourist hub for Chinese, Japanese, and South Korean holidaymakers, little wonder the former A-League defender opted to return home. 

Across Asia, the number of cases numbers approximately 200,000 while an ambassador for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has tested positive for COVID-19, the tournament's organizers said on Thursday.

Apart from writing national team training programs with his coaching staff for the various national teams, Dodd's “riding it out” with family in Australia. 

“There are planning and strategic stuff, but to be honest, just enjoying time with the family," he said.

“I haven’t a break in about 10 years. Holidays in football aren’t really a break so you never switch off. 

“Just to be forced to be switched off it’s been good to reconnect and balance out as a person.”