They depart for Samoa on their way to Suva, Fiji on May 19 and 20, 2014 with the tournament to be held from May 23-31 (May 22-30, local time). They fly to Fiji on May 21.
“We know that we will have it tough against these five other teams so we’ve been working very hard on our defense as a unit,” explained coach Rupeni Luvu.
Luvu has worked long and hard on the team’s defending tactics along with his assistant coach Uinifareti Aliva and with valuable input from OFC coach mentor Simon Toselli. Toselli will be traveling with the team as its technical advisor.
American Samoa will be competing against Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands
“We’ve looked at each player’s experience based on past OFC tournaments they participated in are trying to bring those experiences to the fore so that they can perform well in Fiji,” Luvu said.
Players such as Ryan Paaga, Rueben Luvu, Kaleopa Siligi and Ne’emia Kaleopa played for the U-17 team that competed in New Zealand in 2010. Only the former two saw playing time while Siligi and Kaleopa never got to play.
In 2012 Henry Lameta was on the U-23 squad for the OFC Olympic Qualifying in Taupo, New Zealand but did not play.
Last year’s U-17 squad that participated in the OFC Preliminary Stage in Samoa against Cook Islands, Samoa and Tonga features many names on the current squad such as Lameta, Luvu, Siligi, Kaleopa, Sam Kome, Johnny Sione, Sinisa Tua, Paul Collins, Paia Ipiniu, Frederick Maiava and Lotupo Lameta with the latter the only player not seeing playing time.
“Their experience and also their knowledge of my system being used is what us coaches are going to rely on for the upcoming tournament,” Luvu said.
FFAS President Faiivae Iuli Alex Godinet and the executive committee received the official team list of 19 players to represent American Samoa and approved it with their blessings.
“They are going to represent American Samoa at this tournament and are going to fight the battle in our name,” Faiivae said. “To Rueben, Uini and the players, we wish them the best of luck.”
The committee also put their stamp of approval on the coach and assistant coach while also naming the rest of the team’s management — FFAS CEO Tavita Taumua tabbed as the team’s manager, Florence Wasko-Salesa as the team’s physio and media officer Brian Vitolio.
The team will have their church service at the Futiga Methodist Church at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 18.
All the games will be played at the ANZ Stadium in Suva and the schedule is:
1st Game
American Samoa vs. Fiji — May 23, 2:30 p.m. (May 22, 3:30 p.m. local time)
2nd Game
Papua New Guinea vs. American Samoa — May 25, 5:00 p.m. (May 24, 6:00 p.m. local time)
3rd Game
American Samoa vs. Vanuatu — May 27, 7:30 p.m. (May 26, 8:30 p.m. local time)
4th Game
Solomon Islands vs. American Samoa — May 29, 2:30 p.m. (May 28, 3:30 p.m. local time)
5th Game
New Caledonia vs. American Samoa — May 31, 2:30 p.m. (May 30, 3:30 p.m. local time)
The players are:
Goalkeepers:
Frederick MAIAVA — Pago Youth
Sione Haisila MOEAKI — Vaiala Tongan
Defenders:
Johnny SIONE — Pago Youth
Ne’emia KALEOPA — Utulei Youth
Paul COLLINS — Lion Heart
Paia IPINIU — Ilaoa & To’omata
Rueben LUVU — Lion Heart
Faiai KERISIANO — PanSa
Fala LEVAULA — Tafuna Jets
Lotupo LAMETA — Pago Youth
Henry LAMETA — Pago Youth
Toko VAIELI — Utulei Youth
Midfielders:
Sam KOME — Lion Heart
Kaleopa SILIGI — Utulei Youth
Tokilupelekina AFU — Vaiala Tongan
David ALO — FC SKBC
Forwards:
Rafael ROCHA — Pago Youth
Ryan PAAGA — PanSa
Sinia TUA — Vaiala Tongan