The former Samoa international striker struck fear into the hearts of defenders throughout the Pacific from Tahiti with AS Pirae to YoungHeart Manawatu in New Zealand’s rural heartland.
But now the 30-year-old is hoping some of his experience can pay off for the Samoa U-17 side at the OFC U-17 Championship at JS Blatter Field in Apia.
“I always talk to my boys that they have to step up for our country in the competition.
“We will see how we go in the next game and hopefully they can perform well.
“Our counter attack is good we had chances to score but we missed but that’s all part of the game,” he said.
Faai’uaso began his career with local sides Titavi, Strickland Brothers Lepea and Tuanaimoto Breeze before making a brave move to Tahiti to play for AS Pirae in 2005.
Faai’uaso spent two years with the then Tahitian champions including appearances at the OFC Club Championships in 2005 and 2006.
Known for his goalscoring exploits at home and abroad, Fa’aiuaso saw enough positives in Samoa’s opening day defeat to New Caledonia to suggest they are making progress.
But looming on the horizon is a clash with defending champions New Zealand and Faai’uaso knows his team begin as firm underdogs when the Kiwis come calling, no matter how well they performed in defeat to New Caledonia.
“Next time we’ll finish our chances, we hope. We all know New Zealand is the best team in Oceania.
“If we can beat New Zealand it’d be a dream come true but we’d have to do something special to achieve this.
“Everytime New Zealand wins, but from our side we’ll do our best to compete,” he said.
Samoa has met the Young All Whites just once previously when they very nearly pulled off an upset before losing 1-0 back in 1997, a tournament New Zealand hosted.
New Zealand went on to win the OFC U-17 Championship that year with an upset 1-0 win over Australia at Park Island, Napier.

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