“Forget about our game against Fiji, our focus now is looking forward and not behind us as we prepare for Papua New Guinea,” said coach Rupeni Luvu during the team’s talk.
“We made a lot of mistakes and we’re going to go over that during our training session today to try to iron those out.”
Team manager Tavita Taumua told the team not to be happy that they only lost 4-0.
“We didn’t come here to try to limit the loss,” he pointed out. “As I told you if we lose but you left your heart and soul out on the field, then that’s all we can ask for. Do not take any of our remaining games lightly.”
Papua New Guinea won 2-0 against the Solomon Islands and when it comes to height, American Samoa has a slight advantage in that area.
“We may be taller but they have speed on their side, quickness and greater technical abilities than us,” Uinifareti Aliva, the team’s assistant coach, told the players. “So we need to work better and together as a team.”
The game kicks off at 5pm (6pm American Samoa time) and there will be live updates on as well as live streaming on OFC TV’s Youtube channel. A link to the Youtube channel can be found on the Football Federation American Samoa website.
Faiaai Kerisiano is the only player with a serious enough injury to bar him from suiting up for the next game.
“It is a knee contusion — he said he banged his knee against another players but it is nothing too major,” said the team’s physio, Florence Wasko-Salesa. “As for everybody else they are all doing ok with some just suffering cramps during the game.”

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