Wins will be crucial for comfort

Tonga and American Samoa, while chasing the same goal of victory, are both hoping to keep themselves in the running.
Cook Islands opened their campaign a little shaky and at times allowed Tonga more room than they should have and could have easily been punished for that. They were fortunate that the finishing wasn’t as accurate as it should have been or the hosts might have nicked a couple of goals of their own.
The precision of one player in particular, Taylor Saghabi, proved the difference as he struck three unanswered goals to give his side a decent advantage going into Match Day 2.
As evidenced by the final result, the Cook Islands got their campaign back on track but they’ll need the full 90 minutes of concentration from everyone on the park if they want to successfully up-end the favourites Samoa.
And it won’t be easy.
Samoa came out hard and fast in their opener, high pressing and plenty of pressure which forces quick decision-making and plenty of errors from the opposition. It proved an effective game plan against American Samoa but with most teams having found their flow in this competition it’s only going to get harder to maintain that style of play.
Three different players got on the board for this side – Desmond Faaiuaso, Andrew Mobberley and Faitalia Hamilton-Pama – which shows there is depth in the squad that makes them a threat from anywhere on the pitch.
American Samoa may have had a few nerves with a large portion of the squad making their international debuts, but once they settled into the match became a real force.
Justin Mana’o was a calm influence in the middle, controlling, distributing and combining well with Dylan Jordan. Further out wide Jordan Grant’s presence proved frustrating for his opponents. But it was up front through striker Demetrius Beauchamp that American Samoa were able to keep themselves in the game. It was a bit of individual brilliance for his first international goal and his second wasn’t a bad finish either, but he will need to bring more of that to this match if American Samoa are to break down Tonga again.
Tonga won’t be happy about going down in the history books as the side American Samoa beat four years ago to claim their first international victory. Not only is a spot in Stage 2 on the line for this side, so is national pride.
Tonga started strong and had a lot of chances which, despite the experience of Mark Uhatahi up front, went begging against Cook Islands. Hemaloto Polovili is a breath of fresh air in the squad as the teenager reads plays with ease and makes darting runs through the backline that often catch the defence unawares – a few more years at this level and he’ll be difficult to shut down.
Extra information:
Cook Islands v Samoa
Loto-Tonga Soka Centre
Wednesday 1 September, 2015
Kick-off: 13h
COKvSAM
Match Officials
Referee: Averii JACQUES (TAH)
Assistant Referee 1: Philippe REVEL (TAH)
Assistant Referee 2: Glen LOCHRIE (NZL)
Fourth Official: Robinson BANGA (VAN)

The players: Hat-trick hero in the first match Taylor Saghabi has proven himself a key member of this squad in one match. His off-the-ball vision and movement means he’s frequently in the right place at the right time.
The vital statistics: Taylor Saghabi’s hat-trick was the first for Cook Islands’ senior men’s team in a World Cup Qualifier. Cook Islands have never beaten Samoa in a World Cup Qualifier, their last encounter finishing 3-2 in the Samoans favour.

Coach quote: “It’s one of the difficulties coming into the tournament – you’re going into the unknown somewhat. We’ll have a look at both Samoa and American Samoa and figure out a plan of action so we can hopefully impose ourselves on both of them.”

Squad list: 1. Junior LUPENA (GK), 2. Grover HARMON, 3. Mii JOSEPH, 4. Tyrell BARINGER-TAHIRI, 5. Paavo MUSTONEN, 6. Sem ARUS, 7. Gichin FUHINIU, 8. Legend PARETA, 9. Campbell BEST, 10. Harlem SIMIONA, 11. Taylor SAGHABI, 12. Emiel BURROW, 14. Josh KARIKA, 15. Jake STUART, 16. Alex McGREGOR, 17. Sunai JOSEPH, 18. Ishak MOHAMMED, 20. Tahiri ELIKANA (GK)
Coach: Drew SHERMAN (WAL)

Samoa

The players: As expected the speed and game knowledge Desmond Faaiuaso possesses saw him stand out as both a playmaker and finisher. Faitialia Hamilton-Pama was rewarded with a goal, but his unrelenting pressure also saw him make an impression. Lapalapa Toni will miss this match after receiving a red card against American Samoa.
The vital statistics: Samoa have never dropped points against the Cook Islands in a World Cup qualifying match. They have also never qualified for Stage 2 with the full set of points either.

Coach Quote: “We’re not looking too far ahead with this match we want the boys to relax and enjoy this win and the we will start thinking about the next match.”

Squad list: 1. Masi TOETU (GK), 2. Henry PUPI, 3. Faitalia HAMILTON-PAMA, 4. Andrew SETEFANO, 5. Vito LALOATA, 6. Joseph DAN-TYRELL, 7. John HALL, 8. Andrew MOBBERLEY, 9. Silao MALO, 10. Desmond FAAIUASO, 11. Mike SAOFAIGA, 12. Lawrie PIO, 13. Filipo BURETA, 14. Lapalapa TONI, 15. Viliami VILIAMU, 16. Jarrel SALE, 17. Benson HUNT, 18. Isia FEALOFAI, 19. Darren TALILAI, 20. Elvis ROEBECK, 21. Faalavelave MATAGI (GK)
Coach: Phineas YOUNG (SAM)
American Samoa v Tonga
Wednesday 2 September, 2015
Kick-off: 15h30
ASAvTGA
Match Officials
Referee: Salesh CHAND (FIJ)
Assistant Referee 1: Stephen SENIGA (SOL)
Assistant Referee 2: Avinesh NARAYAN (FIJ)
Fourth Official: Nelson SOGO (SOL)

The players: He scored two goals – one a display of individual brilliance – putting Demetrius Beauchamp on the radar. Jordan Grant put in a grunty performance, throwing his body on the line to get a result. The Mana’o brothers were the surprise performers, Justin was controlled and effective in his role. Tor-Lawrence may have been smaller in stature than most of his teammates and opponents, but the teenager showed inspired game knowledge and the skills to back up his decision-making.

The vital statistics: With his two goals against Samoa, Demetrius Beauchamp equalled American Samoa’s all-time international goal record of two. He joins current captain Ramin Ott who scored in 2007 and 2011, and Shalom Luani who scored in two separate games in 2011.
Coach Quote: “I think us two teams who lost our first game will have something to achieve. We’ll try to regroup and regain our composure. Tonga have a very good team, I saw them play and they have a good squad.”
Squad list: 1. Pita FALEVALU (GK), 2. Ne’emia KALEOPA, 3. Jordan GRANT, 4. Moe Casperpona KURESA, 5. Jason SII, 6. Kaleopa SILIGI, 7. Dylan HARDIE-JORDAN, 8. Ryan ALOALI’I MITCHELL, 9. Ramin OTT, 10. Panweichi KALEOPA, 11. Demetrius BEAUCHAMP, 12. Paul COLLINS, 13. Rawlston MASANIAI, 14. Justin MANA’O, 15. Tor-Lawrence MANA’O, 17. Uasila’a HELETA, 19. Ryan SAMUELU, 20. Raphael ROCHA, 21. Sam KOME, 23. Nicky SALAPU (GK)
Coach: Larry MANA’O (USA)
Tonga

The players: Youngsters Soakai Vea and Hemaloto Polovili were outstanding for Tonga against Cook Islands. Polovili was creative on attack and worked well alongside the experienced Mark Uhatahi. Fineasi Palei was another key player, controlling the middle, defending and making darting runs forward.
The vital statistics: Tonga’s loss to American Samoa four years ago remains etched in the history books as the latter’s first international victory giving Tonga even greater reason to win this one.

Coach Quote: “We played well in the first half against Cook Islands. I believe we need to focus on our finishing and our one-to-one defending in order to improve our game.

Squad list: 1. Heneli SAAFI (GK), 2. Sione UHATAHI, 4. Lotima TAUFOOU, 5. Folio
MOEAKI, 6. Oliveti VAI, 7. Sione TEU, 8. Sipiloni SILA, 9. Lisala TUIPULOTU, 10. Kent LAVE, 11. Sione LELENGA, 12. Apolosi ATUEKAHO, 13. Mark UHATAHI, 14. Hemaloto POLOVILI, 15. Fineasi PALEI, 16. Niuvalu FIFITA, 17. Samisoni MAASI, 18. Soakai VEA, 19. Anthony LIKILIKI, 20. Lafaele MOALA, 21. Sione KITE, 22. Sinilau TAUFA (GK), 23. Samisoni MAFI, 24. Kilifi UELE
Coach: Timote MOLENI (TGA)