The Cook Islands earned a narrow 1-0 victory over Samoa on Match Day 2 and with 6 points and a clean- sheet the two sides hoping to chase them down have a lot of goal scoring to do.
American Samoa’s repeat 2-1 victory over Tonga opened things back up for them after going down 3-2 to Samoa in their opening match. Now level on points with their neighbours, if they can get the right result they could be notching up another milestone.
Cook Islands looked cool, calm and collected against a Samoa side that they knew would be a tough beat. They’ll need the similar approach to tomorrow’s encounter against American Samoa who have made huge inroads over the past decade.
Taylor Saghabi has all four of the Cook Islands goals and he doesn’t look like he’ll be stopping anytime soon. And while Saghabi is a threat from anywhere on the park, Harlem Simiona is equally hard to shut down as the Samoans found. The wide midfielder causes trouble for defenders with darting runs and excellent on ball control.
At times a little shaky at the back, the Cook Islands will no doubt be making the necessary adjustments to keep American Samoa as far from the target as possible.
No longer are the American Samoans the minnows of the region. The side includes some talented up-and-comers alongside some seasoned campaigners which has proven a good combination for coach Larry Mana’o.
Captain Ramin Ott has made light-hearted references to his age – he’s appearing in his third World Cup qualifying campaign – but his on-field performances show he has plenty more to give and the willingness to give it.
His never-say-die attitude has spread through the team like wildfire and players like Jordan Grant and midfield duo Justin Mana’o and Dylan Hardie-Jordan are examples of that. Their controlling influence will be key to breaking down the Cook Islands, while also trying to keep things watertight in their own backline.
In the earlier match Samoa will be gunning to finish on a high with a win against Tonga key for keeping themselves in the hunt.
Not being able to use their speed and general accuracy to their advantage against Cook Islands, coach Phineas Young will be hoping a day’s rest will be enough recovery time for his side as they look to pull out all the stops.
Faitalia Hamilton-Pama was a defensive rock, leading by example and directing his teammates. Up-front they’ll have to improve their finishing if they want to take down the relatively sturdy Tongan backline.
Defender Sione Uhatahi was the stand out for his side against American Samoa. His transitioning was impeccable and his willingness
to throw his body on the line, literally, is why he was the author of his side lone goal.
Hemaloto Polovili continues to impress as a midfield/attacking player while the appearance of young Anthony Likiliki also bodes well for this side’s future. But this team is firmly focussed on tomorrow’s performance and the importance of trying to secure a win on home soil.
The crowds haven’t been huge, but a loyal and vocal group have been cheering on the squad every day and are hopeful Tonga can reward that faithfulness with a victory.
With plenty still on the line and no-one wanting to go home without giving their absolute all to progress, fans can expect a lot from tomorrow’s two encounters.
Extra information:
Tonga v Samoa
Loto-Tonga Soka Centre
Friday 4 September, 2015
Kick-off: 13h
TGAvSAM
Match Officials
Referee: Averii JACQUES (TAH)
Assistant Referee 1: Philippe REVEL (TAH)
Assistant Referee 2: Bertrand BRIAL (NCL)
Fourth Official: Robinson BANGA (VAN)
Tonga

The players: Sione Uhatahi proved a key member of the squad against American Samoa. He has always been reliable at the back but proved he can also match the best strikers when a diving header gave his side the lead for a short time. Hemaloto Polovili is quickly proving himself an essential member of the national line-up; he holds the ball up well when required and has the game knowledge to pass and move to receive quickly. Captain and striker Mark Uhatahi is suspended for the final match after picking up a yellow card in each of their matches so far.
The vital statistics: It is Tonga’s second straight qualifying loss to American Samoa, having lost by the same margin in 2011.

Coach Quote: “Unfortunately we’re yet to get a win here but we’re hopeful that tomorrow we can deliver a victory for the home fans to cheer about.”

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. Kilifi UELE, 14. Hemaloto POLOVILI, 15. Fineasi PALEI, 16. Niuvalu FIFITA, 17. Samisoni MAASI, 18. Soakai VEA, 19. Anthony LIKILIKI, 20. Sinilau TAUFA (GK), 21. Sione KITE, 22. Lafaele MOALA, 23. Samisoni MAFI
Suspended: 13. Mark UHATAHI
Coach: Timote MOLENI (TGA)

Samoa

The players: Lapalapa Toni will be back in the mix for this final match. Faitalia Hamilton-Pama was the difference at the back preventing a much steeper margin.
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 know that Cook Islands are ahead on six points so we need to win and with a lot of goals. We’re expecting a tough game but we respect them as well.”

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 Cook Islands
Friday 4 September, 2015
Kick-off: 15h30
ASAvCOK
Match Officials
Referee: Ravitesh BEHARI (FIJ)
Assistant Referee 1: Glen LOCHRIE (NZL)
Assistant Referee 2: Ravinesh KUMAR (FIJ)
Fourth Official: Salesh CHAND (FIJ)

American Samoa

The players: American Samoa’s midfielders Justin Mana’o and Dylan Hardie-Jordan were exceptional. Their work-rate, their movement and their control were a huge influence on the outcome of their match against Tonga.

The vital statistics: Ramin Ott has scored in three consecutive FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns for American Samoa and is now the country’s leading goal scorer.
Coach Quote: “Cook Islands are very organised and they’ve got some great talent on there so we’ll have to be disciplined. I think if we can keep our heads about us we can get a result and hopefully we can get up early rather than come from behind.”
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. 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)
Cook Islands

The players: Taylor Saghabi remains the only Cook Islander to have scored a goal during this campaign. The
The vital statistics: Cook Islands have never won two consecutive World Cup qualifying matches.

Coach quote: “We know it’s going to be tough. We know American Samoa have come a long, long way in four years and they played some really good stuff against Samoa. We’re not taking anything for granted, we need to make sure we’re on our game. But we’re a mat
ch for anyone on this tournament as we’ve shown and hopefully we’ll be able to overcome him and get the three points we need to go through.”

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)