The first match of the day will see Kiwi (SAM) take on Lotoha’apai United (TGA) in what is expected to be a fascinating encounter.
Kiwi looked incredibly sharp as they moved the ball around the pitch during their 5-1 dominance of Pago Youth on Wednesday morning. But they will be wary of the Tongan club champions who beat them 2-1 during the 2012 edition of this competition.
Lotoha’apai will be coming off the back of an opening defeat to Tupapa Maraerenga (COK) but coach Lui Muavesi believes his side’s first victory could easily come tomorrow.
The second match-up has host club Pago Youth shaping up against Tupapa Maraerenga – and they will be hoping not to see history repeat.
The American Samoa side were beaten 9-0 in their 2012 encounter and on paper Tupapa have only strengthened the squad from last year. This may force Pago into taking a defensive approach to the match, but after going down to Kiwi, Pago Youth coach Ailao Tualaulelei Snr. is confident his side can improve ahead of the clash.
While Tupapa Maraerenga earned a fairly comfortable win on day one they will not be underestimating the host side. There is a lot of experience sprinkled throughout this squad and that will be essential in their approach to the game.
EXTRA INFORMATION
Kiwi vs. Lotoha’apai United
Kiwi v Lotoha’apai United
Pago Park Soccer Stadium, Pago Pago
Thursday, 17 October 2013
Kickoff: 12pm (local)
Referee: Isaac TREVIS (NZL)
Kiwi
The players: Captain Lionel Taylor and New Zealander Barry Lewis both picked up yellow cards against Pago Youth.
The vital statistics: Kiwi’s two wins in this competition so far have both ended in a 5-1 score-line. In his OFC Champions League Preliminary debut Joseph Gaughan claimed a hat-trick and is leading the running for the Golden Boot.
Squad list: 1. Filipo ASIATA [GK], 2. Shaun EASTHOPE, 3. Patrick ASIATA, 4. Andrew SETEFANO, 5. Barry LEWIS, 6. Andy BARRON, 7. Jarrell SALE, 8., 9. Max HOEFLICH, 10.Albert BELL, 11. Tamoto FENIKA, 13. Lionel TAYLOR, 15. Adam COWAN, 16. Martin PACKER, 17. Jamie MASON, 19. Lafi IOANE, 20. Joseph GAUGHAN, 21. Masi TOETU [GK], 22. Mike SAOFAIGA
Coach: Martin TAMASESE (SAM)
Coach Quote: “I know Tonga, it’s not going to be easy. They’re tough and it will be a great game tomorrow.”
Lotoha’pai United
The players: Mark UHATAHI, Valu KOLOFALE and Tupou UHATAHI are all sitting on one caution following Match Day 1 and they will have to be careful if they don’t want to miss the final match.
The vital statistics: 2-1 was the final score line in Lotoha’apai United’s victory over Kiwi in 2012. Player-coach Lui MUAVESI is the oldest player in the squad at 47 years old, while Matana Paongo is the youngest at 24 years old.
Squad list: 1. Brady LAUTI [GK], 2. Tupou UHATAHI, 3. Sione UHATAHI, 4. Samisoni MAFI, 5. Michael UHATAHI, 6. Soane Tatafu FAUPULA, 7. Matana PAONGO, 8. Ilalio LEAKONA, 9. Lafaele MOALA, 10. Mark UHATAHI, 11. Valu KOLOFALE, 12. Oliveti VAI, 15. Sione TAHITU’A 16. Lui MUAVESI, 18. Soane Motekiai FAUPULA [GK]
Coach: Lui MUAVESI (FIJ)
Coach Quote: “We have two matches to go and you just have to prepare for each one. We’ll accept whatever weather we get on the day but that’s part of the game. This is football and you just have to come ready.”
Pago Youth vs. Tupapa Maraerenga
Pago Youth v Tupapa Maraerenga
Pago Park Soccer Stadium, Pago Pago
Thursday, 17 October 2013
Kickoff: 3pm (local)
Referee: Campbell-Kirk WAUGH (NZL)
Pago Youth
The players: Ailao TUALAULELEI JNR. is suspended for this match after receiving two cautions against Kiwi. Johnny Sione and Gun Kang also received one yellow card each.
The statistics: Ten of the 18 players in the squad have represented American Samoa at either the senior and/or age group level. Gun Kang’s goal is Pago Youth’s second-ever in this competition.
Squad list: 1. Taufaiula MAVAEGA [GK], 2. Gene NEEMIA, 3. Ailao TUALAULELEI JR., 4.Alatina VAIALII, 5. Matt TRICK, 6. Kaleopa SILIGI, 7. Nissan TUPAI, 8. Ryan SAMUELU, 9. Johnny SIONE, 10. Sam TUALAULELEI, 11. Ruben LUVU, 12. Neemia KALEOPA, 13. Abraham FATA, 14. Ulufanua MALIKO, 15. Sinisa TUA, 16. Gun KANG, 17. Liatama AMISONE, 23. BJ SAMUELU [GK]
Coach: Ailao TUALAULELEI (ASA)
Coach Quote: “Unfortunately that’s one of good players, but we also have some pretty good substitutes. We will learn from our mistakes in today’s game and we’ll handle it tomorrow.”
Tupapa Maraerenga
The players: Brendan TUREPU and Hone FOWLER are both sitting on a yellow card each.
The vital statistics: Grover HARMON has scored in all but one of his matches for Tupapa Maraerenga at this level.
Squad list: 1. Liam LITTLE [GK], 2. Mii JOSEPH, 3.Hone FOWLER, 4. Allan BOERE, 5. Branden TUREPU, 6. Byron PAULUS, 7. Grover HARMON, 8. Rhys RUKA, 9. Sam MARGETTS, 10. Campbell BEST, 11. Geoffrey STRICKLAND, 12. Ronnie SAKAI, 13. Ant SAMUELA, 14. Terii FRAMHEIN, 15. Sunai JOSEPH, 16. Twin TIRO
Coach: Delany YAQONA (FIJ)
Coach Quote: “We’re expecting the American Samoa side to come out firing, we know they’re going to be physical, they’re going to try and run us off the park but we’ve just got to play ball. We’re going to move that ball around and play to our strengths and as long as we keep playing the game the goals should come.”

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