Lion Heart and Pago Youth A played themselves to a standstill for two hours before the former took out the game with a dramatic 5-3 penalty shootout win.
Neither team could find the net during the match itself but both missed numerous chances to earn the win, the most glaring of which being a spot kick from Lion Heart just two minutes from time that sailed over the bar.
Lion Heart stepped up first for the shoot-out and slotted all five penalties. Pago A’s second attempt was sent well wide of the target and that miss ultimately cost them the victory.
That thrilling finale was not the only tight match during the round’s action.
Pansa beat Tafuna Jets A 2-1 with goals from Nissan Penitusi and D’Angelo Herrera – Henry Shaft reduced the deficit for the Jets with an individual goal late on – while Kiwi Soccers defeated Utulei Youth 3-2.
An own goal in the second half gave them the win after two earlier Danny Mulitalo penaly kicks. The Utulei goals came from Mau Kaleopa and Terrence Sinapati.
The other matches were more one-sided affairs with Vailoatai Youth beating Fagasa Youth 4-1, FC SKBC defeating Ilaoa and To’omata 6-1, Green Bay accounting for Tafuna Jets B 7-3 and Black Roses taking care of Lauli’i 6-1.
The most impressive goal-scoring performance of the day came from Bob Nu’usila, who notched four strikes for the Roses in their convincing win. He had completed his hat-trick by half-time and scored his fourth five minutes into the second period.
Pago Youth B did not take the field as they had the bye.
The names of the seven winning teams and Pago Youth B will go into the hat this Saturday to determine the match ups for the second round, which takes place on October 30.
For more on football in American Samoa go to www.ffas.as