The Nu’uuli Voc-Tech Wildcats are the new American Samoan high school champions after pulling off an emphatic 4-0 victory over reigning champs the Samoana Sharks in Pago Pago at the weekend.
It was a historic first-ever title victory for underdogs Nu’uuli, a trades school of around 200-300 pupils, and one that was thoroughly deserved after a dominant performance in the final that saw them score two unanswered goals in each half.
Wildcats striker Chris Seui was particularly impressive for his team with two goals in the match and was handed Most Valuable Player trophy for his excellent form this season.
Conversely it was a disappointing end for seven-time winners Samoana, the biggest high-school in American Samoa with a role of 1000. The Sharks were widely regarded as the favorites to defend their 2008 title after losing only one game during the round-robin competition.
Nu’uuli assistant coach Valusina Talataina was delighted with his team’s determination and application.
“We are so proud of our boys, we work hard and we were underdogs. Nobody thought we would make it to the championship and I give credit to them, they wanted it so badly, and they also did it for three seniors who are leaving.”
“They stuck to the game-plan today, we usually go with 3-4-3 but we changed to 4-4-2 because Samoana have so much speed and they stuck to the plan.”
A lively opening five minutes of counterpunching from both sides gave a taste of the action to come.
On eight minutes Wildcats defender Danny Mulitalo crisply powered an 18-yard free-kick into the upper right corner of the Sharks net past the despairing dive of the keeper to give his team an early confidence boost.
That confidence grew twofold soon after as danger-man striker Seui pounced on hesitation in the Sharks defence and poked the ball past the onrushing goalie after his initial shot was saved.
Wildcats midfielder Tunoa Sua made it three just after the hour mark before Seui grabbed his second goal in style rising high above the Samoana defence to header a corner kick firmly past the Sharks’ keeper late in the match.
Also in action earlier on Saturday morning was the national U-20 women’s training squad who played a trial game as a curtain raiser to the boy’s varsity final.
The squad currently numbers 25 players but will be trimmed down to 20 for the OFC U-20 Championship New Zealand 2009 to be held in Auckland this October.
The game was won 1-0 by the ‘Red’ team due to an impressive individual goal from midfielder Katrina Magele midway through the second half. Magele showed good control and footwork to jink past three would-be tacklers before powering a crisp shot past the previously un-passable ‘Blue’ team keeper – and OFC Player of the Year nominee – Filiga Ioapo.
FFAS Development Officer and ‘Red’ team coach Ruben Luvu said he was happy with aspects of his trial team’s attack but will be pushing the squad for greater intensity and physicality as they look ahead to October.
The full schedule of football at the weekend shows the game is continuing to grow in American Samoa. A territory with just 70,000 people and an area of 199km2, American Samoa is traditionally strong in sports such as gridiron, basketball and baseball but football is starting to take over these popular pastimes.
The strength of the game is at the youth level where Football Federation American Samoa (FFAS) have worked hard to establish competitions within schools.
Under the tutelage of President Iuli Alex Godinet, FFAS is the only sporting body that organizes tournaments for teenagers and schoolchildren. As a result of this newly implemented structure, the number of boys and girls playing football has now exceeded even those more established codes.