Samoa turned on the style tonight after a 7-0 win over a gallant American Samoa at a packed J.S.Blatter Playing Field in Apia. First-half goals to Penitito Tuma (24′), Desmond Faaiuaso (29′) and
captain Chris Cahill (43′) gave Samoa a comfortable 3-0 lead at the halftime break but not before being made to work hard by some committed defending by American Samoa.
There was no doubting American Samoa’s dedication to their cause with Terence Sinapi and Pesanino Victor picking up yellow cards in the first-half. Tafuna Toilolo of American Samoa (left) races to
stop Lionel Taylor of Samoa in Apia tonight.
Tuma was on target again just six minutes into the second-half to make it 4-0 to give the packed boutique stadium something to cheer about. American Samoa’s multitude of challenges in putting
together a squad – let alone a meaningful preparation programme – eventually added up to a fraught 15 minute spell in which Samoa emphasised their edge with goals to Damien Fonoti (61′), Chris
Cahill (67′) and Junior Michael (76′) pushing the score out to 7-0.
The match was not without its negatives for Samoa with Sakaria Fuimano and Desmond Faaiuaso both booked in the second-half. However, Samoan spirits won’t be dampened with the morale-boosting
victory and quality performance likely to put coach Falevi Umutaua’s team on a high.
For American Samoa coach David Brand it is a case of back to the drawing board but he can take heart that the margin of defeat was significantly reduced and the team produced a performance
that in relative terms was pleasing.
American Samoa face medal-hopefuls Vanuatu on Wednesday 29th August 1500hrs GMT-13 and Tonga face off against the bouyed Samoa on the same day at 2030hrs GMT-13.
XIII SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES – SAMOA 2007
Men’s
Group B
Match Day 2 – 27 August 2007 – 20:30
Toleafoa J.S. Blatter Playing Fields – Apia – Samoa
Full-time: AMERICAN SAMOA 0 SAMOA 7 (TUMUA 24’, 51′; FAAIUASO 29’; CAHILL pen. 43’, 67′; FONOTI 61′; MICHAEL 76′)
AMERICAN SAMOA: 2. Terence SINAPATI; 3. Pita SINAPATI (18. Frankie SILAO 78′); 4. Pesamino VICTOR; 5. Alexander VICTOR (7. Thomas LEOTA 60′); 8. Natia NATIA (13. Johnny SAELUA
75′); 11. Maika MOLESI; 12. Hansel MAIAVA; 14. Tafuna TOILOLO; 15. Uasilaa HELETA; 19. Ramin OTT; 24. Jordan PENITUSI.
Coach: David BRAND
Substitutes not used: 6. Tuaoloina SOLOFA; 9. Ieti TAULEALO; 10. Kitiona FAATAMALA; 16. Ieti IETI; 17. Alo VAKATAU; 20. Sue TONISE.
Injured:
Suspended:
Not Available: 1. Nicky Salapau.
Cautions: 2. Terence SINAPATI (18’); 4. Pesamino VICTOR (36’)
Red Cards:
Goalscorers:
SAMOA: 1. Pasi SCHWALGER (20. Filipo ULI 77′); 3. Damien FONOTI; 4. Chris CAHILL; 6. Fauivi UGAPO; 10. Desmond FAAIUASO; 11. Junior MICHAEL; 12. Filipo BURETA; 13. Lionel TAYLOR
(15. Edwin TYRELL 73′); 14. Bevan KAPISI; 16. Penitito TUMUA; 18. Sakaria FUIMAONO (17. Horst PETANA 80′).
Coach: Falevi UMUTAUA
Substitutes not used: 2. Voa SAUAGA; 5. Jerrell SALE; 7. Fereti GOSCHE; 8. Joseph HOEFLICH; Max Tom HOEFLICH; 19. Sapati UMUTAUA; 21. Keith Tasi STANFIELD.
Injured:
Suspended:
Not Available:
Cautions: 18. Sakaria FUIMAONO (49′); Desmond FAAIUASO (86′).
Red Cards:
Goalscorers: 16. Penitito TUMA (24’, 51′); Desmond FAAIUASO (29’); 4. Chris CAHILL (pen. 43’, 67′; Damien FONOTI (61′); Junior MICHAEL (76′).
Referee: Job Ponis MINAN (PNG)
Assistant Referee: Hilary ANI (PNG)
Assistant Referee: Rohitesh DAYAL (FIJ)
Fourth Official: Averii JACQUES (TAH)