AMERICAN SAMOA 0 VANUATU
15 (7. Moise POIDA 19’; 11. Etienne MERMER 24’; 45’, 45+1’, 68’; 13. Francois SAKAMA 43’, 79’, 91+’; 5. Andrew Chichirua 56′; 10. Suele SOROMON 62’, 81’, 84’, 86’,92+’; 8.Tom Phillip TOMAKE 72’)
Vanuatu was simply too fit, too fast and too strong for American Samoa as they cruised to a 15-0 victory in Apia today.
Second-half substitute Seule Soromon, Etienne Mermer and youngster Francis Sakama punished American Samoa with an array of deadly finishing during a torrid afternoon for
inexperienced goalkeeper Jordan Penitusi.
There was little for American Samoa to cheer about as Vanuatu set about their task in a businesslike manner, aware that they were jostling for a slot in the semi-finals
with a higher group placing likely to mean a somewhat easier semi-final.
The main highlight for the minnows from Pago was that they held Vanuatu to 0-0 for 18 minutes before skipper Moise Poida scored to give his team the lead with American
Samoa’s defence in disarray.
In a strange way, Vanuatu were to be lauded for not taking their foot off the pedal and instead paying American Samoa the compliment of giving this match the same effort
as they would any other.
Vanuatu’s goal scoring was rounded off by Andrew Chichirua and Tom Phillip Tomake, blowing the score line out to
fifteen.
American Samoa are last in Group B with Vanuatu taking top spot for the time being thanks to their superior goal difference over Solomon Islands who defeated American
Samoa 12-1 in their opening match.
American Samoa finish their XIII South Pacific Games against Tonga on Saturday 1st September, 1230hrs GMT-13. Vanuatu meet Solomon Islands at
1430hrs GMT-13.
LIVE UPDATES
1′ – match is underway beneath clear blue skies in Apia
2′ – ASA stand-in ‘keeper Jordan PENITUSI is quick to act on a dangerous cross from Vanuatu’s Etienne MERMER
5′ – Vanuatu have failed to find the target on several occasions
7′ – PENITUSI fumbles, but recollects an awkward MERMER strike from the top of the 18 yard box
10′ – Pesamino VICTOR leaves the field temporarily to receive treatment for an injury
11′ – PENITUSI bats away an awkward, high free kick from deep
12′ – MERMER finds himself one-on-one with PENITUSI, but is offside
14′ – VAN corner is cleared well by ASA
17′ – 4. Pesamino VICTOR succumbs to a knee injury, and is replaced by 13. Johnny SAELUA
19′ – GOAL!
VAN captain Moise POIDA scores from a free-kick on the edge of the box, curling a right foot chip in off the crossbar
21′ – VAN have their tails up, and are pressing with increased vigour
24′ – GOAL!
Etienne MERMER is rewarded for following up the deflection from Richard IWAI’s initial strike
27′ – ASA make their first foray into Vanuatu’s penalty box, but cannot secure possesion
28′ – PENITUSI saves well low to the right, from a scramble near the penalty spot
29′ – Francois SAKAMA bears down on goal for Vanuatu, but shoots wide to the left of the goal
33′ – POIDA is through on goal, but hits the side-netting to PENITUSI’s left
34′ – PENTUSI intercepts another ominous Vanuatu cross
35′ – ASA defend with conviction to clear concerted VAN pressure
36′ – IWAI has a clear view on goal, but shoots over from 18 yards
40′ – PENITUSI calms possesion well, and releases a massive punt into the VAN penalty box
ASA captain Terence SINAPATI controls well, but has a loose touch which VAN ‘keeper David CHILIA collects, only to be clumsily bundled over by SINAPATI following through
RED CARD
2. Terence SINAPATI is sent off for a careless challenge on CHILIA, who remains on the field after receiving treatment
43′ – GOAL!
Francois SAKAMA curls a slick finish to PENITUSI’s left after a lengthy VAN interchange of passes
45′ – GOAL!
Etienne MERMER evades his marker on the penalty spot to slam home a low drive to PENITUSI’s right
— 2 minutes added on —
45’+1 – GOAL!
Etienne MERMER secures a first-half hat trick with a headed goal courtesy of a pinpoint SAKAMA cross
HALF-TIME: ASA 0 VAN 5
45′ – second half kicks off with PENITUSI called into action immediately for two regulation saves
Richard IWAI has been substituted for Seule SOROMON
47′ – PENITUSI looks to h
ave come out from half-time more confident, patrolling his 18 yard box with more authority
51′ – Fenedy MASAUVAKALO is denied by the crossbar as VAN continue to hold ASA under pressure
55′ – SAKAMA finishes a powerful run by having a low right foot drive deflected off the right hand upright for a corner
56′ – VAN captain Moise POIDA is substituted for Derek MALAS
GOAL!
Andrew CHICHIRUA puts away a slick left-footed finish as the ball drops from a SAKAMA corner
58′ – ASA replace Pita SINAPATI with 20 Sue TONISE
62′ – ASA wall does its job from a SAKAMA free kick
GOAL!
10 Seule SOROMON thumps a right-footed drive home from 15 yards after a series of deflections following the free kick
64′ – Tuaoloina SOLOFA attempts an extravagant scissor-kick from a loose ball at the bottom corner of the VAN penalty box
68′ – GOAL!
11. Etienne MERMER breaks down the right and drives home a crisp finish under PENITUSI from the angle
70′ – 6. Tuaoloina SOLOFA leaves the field to be replaced by 9. Ieti TAULEALO
72′ – GOAL!
8. Tom Philip TOMAKE gets in on the act, firing home from the top of the 18 yard box
79′ – GOAL!
13. Etienne MERCER breaks down the right again, cuts inside and finishes near-post to PENITUSI’s left
81′ – GOAL!
10. Seule SOROMON pounces on a loose ball to pick up a second
84′ – GOAL!
10. Seule SOROMON completes his hat-trick with an easy finish, unmarked at the far post
86′ – GOAL!
MERMER unselfishly chips square to his left for 10. Seule SOROMON to score another
— 3 minutes added time —
90’+1 – GOAL!
13. Francois SAKAMA finishes another menacing dribble down the right flank, sliding his attempt beneath PENTUSI in the ASA goal
90’+2 – GOAL!
10. Seule SOROMON makes it five, with another easy finish from a loose ball
FULL-TIME: ASA 0 VAN 15
MATCH PHOTOS (courtesy of Geoff Dickinson Photography)
XIII SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES – SAMOA 2007
Men’s Group B
Match Day 3 – 1500 – 29 August 2007
Toleafoa J.S. Blatter Football Fields – Apia – Samoa
AMERICAN SAMOA: 2. Terence SINAPATI [c]; 3. Pita SINAPATI (20. Pita SINAPATI 58′); 4. Pesamino VICTOR (13. Johnny SAELUA 17′); 5. Alexander
VICTOR; 6. Tuaoloina SOLOFA (9. Ieti TAULEALO 70′); 7. Thomas LEOTA; 11. Maika MOLESI; 14. Tafuna TOILOLO; 15. Uasilaa HELETA; 19. Ramin OTT; 24. Jordan PENITUSI [gk].
Coach: David BRAND
Substitutes not used: 10. Kitiona FAATAMALA; 16. Ieti IETI; 17. Alo VAKATAU; 18. Frankie SILAO.
Injured: 8. Natia NATIA; 12. Hansel MAIAVA.
Suspended:
Not available: 1. Nicky SALAPAU [gk].
Cautions:
Red cards: 2. Terence SINAPATI (39′).
Goalscorers:
VANUATU: 1. David CHILIA [gk]; 3. Ken MASAUVAKALO; 4. Rexley TARIVUTI; 5. Andrew CHICHIRUA; 6. Fedy VAVA; 7. Moise POIDA [c] (19. Derek MALAS
56′); 8. Tom Philip TOMAKE; 11. Etienne MERMER; 12. Fenedy MASAUVAKALO (2. Samson OBED 66′); 13. Francois SAKAMA; 16. Richard IWAI (10. Seule SOROMON 46′).
Coach: Alwyn JOB
Substitutes not used: 9. Jean Nako NAPRAPOL; 14. Pita David MAKI; 15. Victor MALEB; 17. Geoffrey Lego GETE; 18. Jacques Mafil NAWAN; 20. Chikau
MANSALE [gk]; 21. Maki HAITONG.
Injured:
Suspended:
Not available:
Cautions:
Red cards:
Goalscorers: 7. Moise POIDA (19′); 11. Etienne MERMER (24′, 45′, 45’+1, 68′); 13. Francois SAKAMA (43′, 79′, 90’+1); 5. Andrew CHICHIRUA (56′); 10.
Seule SOROMON (62′, 81′, 84′, 91′, 92′); 8. Tom Philip TOMAKE (72′).
Referee: Michael HESTER (NZL)
Assistant Referee: Raimana TAUOTAHA (TAH)
Assistant Referee: Jackson NAMO (SOL)
Fourth Official: Jacques AVERII (TAH)
Fifth Official: Teariki GOODWIN