While the hosts now sit in relative comfort with three points, the competition is by no means over as the teams get set for Match Day 2 of the tournament.
Still in the running are FC Samoan Korean Baptist Church, who earned the first points for an American Samoa club in this competition when they drew with Cook Islands champions Puaikura FC, also on one point, yesterday.
Lotoha’apai United, making their third consecutive appearance in this competition showed some flashes of brilliance against their hosts but will need to up the ante if they want to pull themselves back into the race.
They face FC SKBC, a side on a high after their opening draw which put them in the record books with the best result for an American Samoa club in this tournament’s history.
With pace up front and a strong defence led ably by young Ruben Luvu, the American Samoa champions will like their chances against Lotoha’apai in tomorrow’s opening match.
With Puaikura in desperate need of a win to keep themselves afloat, hosts Lupe Ole Soaga will need to be wary.
While the experience of some of coach Tuka Tisam’s reinforcements was essential for setting the tone in the centre, the rising stars were young local talents Jarvis Aperau and Dwayne Tiputoa as well as goalscorer Temana Pennycook.
Quick, accurate one touch passing is at the core of this side’s approach and Lupe Ole Soaga will have their work cut out for them on Thursday evening
With pace and on-ball skills littered throughout the host side, Puaikura FC will also need to be cautious in their approach. The Samoan side showed they are ready to exploit any weaknesses and won’t give an inch in their efforts to qualify on home soil.
EXTRA INFORMATION
FC Samoan Korean Baptist Church v Lotoha’apai United
J.S. Blatter Football Complex, Tuanaimato
Thursday, 9 October 2014
Kickoff: 4.30pm
Referee: Amos ANIO [PNG]
Samoan Korean Baptist Church FC
The players: Gun Kang has added to his growing collection of goals in this competition. Sam Kome uses his pace and technical ability to create chances and has been unlucky not to make it on the score sheet yet.
The vital statistics: FC SKBC’s 1-1 draw with Puaikura FC marks their first point in the OFC Champions League Preliminary, and the first point for any American Samoa club in this competition. Three members of the squad are sitting on a caution after MD1 – Melfi ALSHEHRI, Trevor KAITUU and Sam KOME.
Squad list: 1. Richard DONOVAN (GK), 2. Sione LUI, 3. Sinisa TUA, 4. Trevor KAITUU, 5. William FONG, 6. Gun KANG, 7. Dunstone ALEZIRU, 9. Kaleopa SILIGI, 10. Raynel KRISHNA, 11. Johnny SIONE, 12. Rueben LUVU, 13. Melfi ALSHERHRI, 14. Miguel DIAZ, 15. Jerry KENA, 16. Joseph KOROIADI, 17. Neemia KALEOPA, 18. Sam KOME, 21. Sione MAU (GK)
Coach: Rishi PRAKESH [FIJ]
Coach Quote: “We are going to look into our problems that we had against Cook Islands and will regroup from there. I think Sione Mau will recover in time but we will have to wait until we assess his injury.”
Lotoha’apai United
The players: Mark Uhatahi showed pace up front and an ability to beat his marker with relative ease, he just needs to work on accuracy to become a bona fide threat. Timote Maamaloa was all over the park applying pressure up front and support at the back.
The vital statistics: 16-year-old Soakai VEA made his debut in this competition as a second-half substitute. Timote MAAMALOA is the only Lotoha’apai player with a caution going into match two.
Squad list: 1. Brady KITE (GK), 2. Sione UHATAHI, 3. Oliveti VAI, 4. Samisoni MAFI, 5. Fineasi PALEI, 6. Hemaloto POLOVILI, 7. Mark UHATAHI, 8. Lafaele MOALA, 9. Tupou UHATAHI, 10. Soakai VEA, 11. Timote MAAMALOA, 12. Soane FAUPULA, 13. Sione
KITE, 14. Michael UHATAHI, 15. Matana PAONGO, 16. Sefo LELEA, 17. Kakala VAINUKU, 18. Sione FAUPULA (GK)
Coach: Fetu’u VEA [TGA]
Coach Quote: “I believe that all four sides are pretty equal and anybody can win this competition. For the next game we will talk about it overnight and might change the formation, but may keep it as is.”
Lupe Ole Soaga v Puaikura FC
J.S. Blatter Football Complex, Tuanaimato
Thursday, 9 October 2014
Kickoff: 7pm
Referee: Gerald OIAKA [SOL]
Lupe Ole Soaga
The players: As expected Andrew Setefano controlled the defensive line, shutting down potential threats. Goal scorer Luki Gosche showed speed and precision both in and out of possession and Lionel Taylor proved solid and inventive in the middle.
The statistics: Five Lupe Ole Soaga players are sitting on cautions after Match Day 1 – Lapalapa TONI, Vito LALOATA, Suivai ATAGA, Suni SARSOUM and Lionel TAYLOR.
Squad list: 1. Ted SIKOVI (GK), 2. Vaalii FAALOGO, 3. Suiga NOA, 4. Vito LALOATA, 5. Suni SARSOUM, 6. Suivai ATAGA, 7. Lionel TAYLOR, 8. Silao MALO, 9. Lapalapa TONI, 10. Luki GOSCHE, 11. Kareti SOAFA, 12. Ishamel TAULAI, 13. Faafua ATAGA LAOATA, 14. Sapati UMUTAUA, 15. Victor LAPALAPA, 16.Oscar AMATAGA, 17. Apisaloma FAAFUA LEIATAUA, 18. Mataio TOETU (GK)
Coach: Paul UALESI [SAM]
Coach Quote: “Right now we’re focused on Cook Islands. For us Tonga was like a final, but we now have to look ahead to the next match which will be another final again. They will be tough, I saw their defence in the middle, they’re really tall and will be hard to break down.”
Puaikura FC
The players: Dwayne Tiputoa and Temana Pennycook use speed to their advantage and could prove lethal as the competition progresses. Stu Kelly was an essential cog in the middle with his distribution rate and passing accuracy key.
The vital statistics: The average age of the squad is 25 years old and the team sheet features five different nationalities. Captain Paul-Luiz EIJK is sitting on the only caution for this side.
Squad list: 1. Stevan DUJAKOVIC (GK), 2. Paul-Luiz VAN EIJK, 3. Jarves APERAU, 4. Claes LJUNBERG, 5. Vishal REDDY, 6. Alex McGREGOR, 8. Dean STYLES, 9. Shiek SHAH, 10. Stuart KELLY, 11. Dwayne TIPUTOA, 12. Temana PENNYCOOK, 13. Tarik KAFEDZIC, 14. Benjamin HEATHER, 15. Shohei MONJU, 16. Kimi SAMUELA, 17. Avinesh CHAND, 18. Roimata MOEKAPITI (GK)
Coach: Tuka TISAM [COK]
Coach Quote: “It’s early days, it’s our first game and we’ve just got to go back to the drawing board and come back for the next game. We’ve got to try and win our last two games.”

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