In their final match at the Asia Pacific Special Olympic Games in Newcastle, Australia, the side were downed 4-1 by a strong and technically sound Philippines side.
“I am happy we got the silver medal,” American Samoa goalkeeper Hamipale Tovale said, indicating the side’s pleasure at earning a podium finish.
Team captain Saito Mauga, who had a prolific scoring output with 12 goals from seven games, said there was some disappointment in the ranks but overall the team is incredibly proud of their achievements in Australia.
“We tried our best and wanted to win the gold, but we are still happy to have a silver medal to take home,” Mauga said.
The captain spent the first two matches of the tournament in the goal before switching to striker and immediately making an impact to earn a hat trick.
A win, a draw and a loss were the first day results for the 5-a-side squad losing to Timor Leste 2-0, drawing 0-0 with Australia D and then beating Australia C 3-1.
The last two matches were played in front of the team’s number one fan, First Lady Cynthia Moliga who said the team played well.
“Thank you for your efforts out there and good luck to you guys for the rest of the competition,” she said.
Back again for day two, the side drew 4-4 against Philippines before edging Myanmar 3-2 with First Lady Moliga joined in the stands by silver medal winning shotputter Dennis Vaiga who came to cheer on the squad.
American Samoa then had to take on neighbours Samoa on day three for their shot at the top spot on the podium.
With Mauga again at his scoring best, he netted a second tournament hat trick to help his side secure a 3-3 draw. The final standings saw American Samoa sitting second on five points, behind the Philippines on seven – setting up a gold medal showdown.
Samoa came in at fourth behind Myanmar to earn themselves a shot at the medals in the third place play-off.
Coach Junior Mikaele said his players put their all into the match and he was proud of their performance both on and off the field.
“We played well and we are sorry not to win gold, but we still won the silver,” Mikaele said.
“Thank you American Samoa for your support and prayers for our team, especially to the Football Federation American Samoa President Faiivae Iuli Alex Godinet, our association and of course the American Samoa Special Olympics Committee.
“We also want to thank our Governor Lolo Moliga and the First Lady Cynthia Moliga for their support and we look forward to showin our medal off when we get back home.”
The American Samoa 5-a-side Special Olympics team is made up of Peleti Filipi Jr, Saito Mauga, Tausisi Amituana’I, Kennoyd Pao, Samoa Togo and Hanipale Tovale and coached by Mikaele and Brian Vitolio.
For more on American Samoa football go to www.ffas.as

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