American Samoa have powered past the Cook Islands 4-0 at the CIFA Academy in Rarotonga, to secure progression to the second round of OFC qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™.
Success marks the first time American Samoa have won consecutive women’s international matches, and the first time they have advanced past the first round of the qualifying process for a senior World Cup at any level.
Three of their four goals came in the first half, setting up a dominant victory over the tournament hosts in the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 OFC Qualifiers (Round One) final.
American Samoa picked up where they left off from their 3-0 win over Tonga three days prior, pressing the Cook Islands and controlling the contest from start to finish.
This time they got an early goal as a reward. Aaliyah Tu’ua’s delivery off the right flank found Morgan Patea at the back post, who volleyed past Rianna Pepe with the outside of her right foot to give American Samoa the lead in the 22nd minute.
The Cook Islands’ haven’t registered consecutive World Cup qualifying wins since 2010, and they failed to offer much resistance. Cassidy Pamela Drago saw a shot parried at the near post, and had a goal ruled out for offside moments later.
Captain Alma Mana’o doubled the advantage in the 36th minute, catching out Pepe with a long-range effort into the bottom-left corner. The Cook Islands qualifying hopes were extinguished by half-time, Alayna Fuamatu-Ma’afala scoring American Samoa’s third with another volley from a delivery into the box.
The fourth and final goal arrived just four minutes into the second half, Mattyn Summers capitalising on another dangerous delivery into the penalty area, flicked on by the head of Cassidy Pamela Drago.
Atianna Fuamatu-Ma’fala had a shot saved by Pepe at the near post off the left flank, as Amanda Cromwell’s side coasted to the final whistle with ease.
Having failed to score a single goal in any of their five previous World Cup qualifiers dating back to 1998, American Samoa finish with seven goals in just two games across their stay in the Cook Islands.
They now advance to join Group A of FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 OFC Round Two Qualifying in February 2026, alongside New Zealand, the Solomon Islands, and Samoa. Meanwhile, the Cook Islands hopes of qualifying come to an early end.
HT: 3-0
American Samoa: 4 (Morgan PATEA 22’, Alma MANA’O 36’, Alayna FUAMATU-MA’AFALA 44’, Mattyn SUMMERS 49’)
Cook Islands: 0
Photo credit: OFC Media via Phototek