AUCKLAND – The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has announced the nominees for OFC Player of the Year Award (Women) with fifteen soccer players from around the South Pacific in line for the title.

The list is dominated by New Zealand players following their exploits at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and FIFA Women’s World Cup. However, American Samoan goalkeeper Filiga Kerisiano has found her way onto the list after her heroics at the XIII South Pacific Games in Samoa in 2007.

“Filiga is worthy of her nomination – her performances in Samoa were simply sensational and worthy of recognition,” said OFC Media and Communications Officer Gordon Glen Watson.

Kerisiano was the star player as American Samoa earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Cook Islands – American Samoa’s best performance in any form of football at the games.

“When the list of nominees was assembled a number of factors were taken into account – star performances, attitude, bravery, personality and ability. Filiga ticked all those boxes. The world and pacific media found her to be very quiet and unassuming off the pitch but during matches she show scant regard for her own safety and was kept busy throughout,” Watson said.

Kerisiano becomes the first American Samoan soccer player to be nominated on the regional stage for her on-field performances.

Kerisiano is also the first Samoan to be nominated for an OFC award since Tim Cahill won OFC Player of the Year in 2004.

Cahill plays in the FA Premiership for Everton and appeared at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

It is also the first time an OFC Player of the Year Award has been in place for women’s soccer.

“This is an historical occasion for both OFC and Football Federation American Samoa – both organizations should be very proud –

Other nominees included Hayley Moorwood, Annalie Longo, Ali Riley, Rosie White, Kirsty Yallop, all of New Zealand, Mele Likiliki of Tonga, Elodie Tein-Poawi and Marjorie Pouye both New Caledonia, Daisy Winas and Lydia Banabas of Papua New Guinea, Adiela Kurikaba and Asena Reba Ratu of Fiji, Laydah Samani of Solomon Islands and Mimosa Marmouyet from Tahiti.

Votes will be counted in March with an announcement expected to be made in mid-April, 2009.