In a competition where every match counts host club Lupe Ole Soaga have earned three crucial points with a 1-0 victory over Tonga’s Lotoha’apai United in the race to qualify for the 2015 OFC Champions League.
In the day’s earlier match, American Samoa club champions FC Samoan Korean Baptist Church came from behind to secure a crucial point with a 1-1 draw against Puaikura FC from Cook Islands.
Lupe Ole Soaga coach Paul Ualesi was speechless following the match as his side were able to earn a win on debut in this competition in front of a boisterous crowd of local supporters.
“I’m so proud of my boys right now, I’m out of words right now,” an ecstatic Ualesi says.
“There was so much pressure, we knew this match against Tonga would be tough. Against all three sides here it’s going to be tough as everyone wants to win.
But tonight I was so happy. We were well prepared and the team did their best. I know Lotoha’apai have experience, but for us it’s the first OFC tournament and I thought they did well.”
There was plenty of excitement from the outset as Lupe Ole Soaga got the match underway with a shot just over the target. That effort set the tone of the encounter as both sides had opportunities to take the lead.
Physicality was also a factor with both sides keen to assert dominance and going into every challenge and 50-50 situation with pride and passion. That came to a head late in the first half as Lotoha’apai’s Timote Maamaloa was cautioned, followed a short time later by Lupe’s Silao Malo.
The crowd were on their feet celebrating when Lupe found the back of the net in additional time only to be brought back to reality by the assistant referee’s raised flag signalling offside.
Inseparable at the break the second half continued in the same vein as the first – both sides giving their all to earn an advantage but falling just short on each occasion.
Lotoha’apai United captain Mark Uhatahi, who had a standout match, was unlucky not to break the deadlock in the 80th minute when he beat his man before shooting low.
As play shifted to the other end of the park, Lupe Ole Soaga were denied on two consecutive occasions, even hitting the cross bar, before an excellent delivery from Lionel Taylor was converted by Luki Gosche to give the home crowd something to really cheer about.
Lotoha’apai coach Fetu’u Vea commended the Samoan champions for their on-field efforts.
“The team performed to what I expected, and it’s not an excuse but I think my goalie made a little mistake which allowed Samoa to score a goal.
“But at the end of the day, the Samoans were the better side.”
The opening match proved a tough one off the bat for American Samoa representatives FC Samoan Korean Baptist Church (FC SKBC) as goal keeper Sione Mau suffered an injury set back in the 15th minute.
It was a blow to coach Rishi Prakesh’s game plan but substitute keeper Richard Donovan made an outstanding replacement as he constantly denied the Cook Islands’ club champions.
FC SKBC heaped the pressure on as the clock counted down on the first half and Puaikura found themselves on the back foot defending their goal mouth. A string of efforts from Sam Kome, Steven Garcia and Claes Ljungberg were all denied by either goalkeeper Stevan Dujackovic or a wall of defenders.
All that effort didn’t amount to a goal and instead it was Puaikura who entered the break with the lead. Lurking unmarked at the back post on a set piece Temana Pennycook was able to tap home and open the scoring a minute into additional time.
While both sides were clearly tiring, the intensity didn’t falter as Puaikura fought to defend their slim lead, while the American Samoan’s sought an equaliser. The finally got that much needed break in the 90th minute after a sustained period of pressure. Gun Kang found himself on the end of an impressive free kick delivered from half way by Ruben Luvu, and made no mistakes when it came to finding the back of the net.
With three minutes additional time a buoyant FC SKBC swarmed forward in an attempt to secure three points but with Puaikura not about to make the same mistake twice, were forced to settle for a well-earned draw.
FC SKBC coach Rishi Prakesh had mixed feelings about the encounter after his side conceded late in the first half and only equalised as the clock ticked into additional time in the second.
“The problem in the first half was that they scored a goal, but in the second half we tried our best and managed an equaliser so we’re on the right track now,” Prakesh says.
He admits the injury to goalkeeper Sione Mau was a major setback but was impressed with how Richard Donavon proved himself up to the task.
“I don’t know how bad the injury is so hopefully he’ll recover quickly but Donovan also tore his finger during the match which is another problem for us to consider.”
Puaikura FC coach Tuka Tisam says it was disappointing his team couldn’t hold on to the hard earned lead they acquired in the first half.
“From that point I thought we had them on the ropes. I think we had lots of possession and we could have got the three points with that one goal.
“But they came back towards the end and I guess that’s just football. It’s our first game and we’ve just got to go back to the drawing board now.”
Tisam used the match to give some of the club’s U-17 players a run and says he thought they all performed outstandingly.
“I thought they stepped up. They were key back home in the league and I thought they stepped up for this game and they’re only going to get better as the tournament progresses.”
The OFC Champions League Preliminary continues on Thursday 9 October when FC SKBC (ASA) take on Lotoha’apai United (TGA) at 4.30pm followed by Lupe Ole Soaga (SAM) against Puaikura FC at 7pm.
All matches are being played at J.S. Blatter Football Complex in Apia, Samoa.