SAMOA OFF TO OLYMPICS QUALIFIER

Football Federation Samoa (“FFS”) farewelled its National U23 Men’s team in a send-off ceremony on Wednesday 18 September 2019 at the FFS Complex Tuanaimato. The national team are participating in the OFC Men’s Olympic Qualifier tournament held in Fiji from the 20^th September to the 5^th October 2019.

Eight (8) member associations have been confirmed by the Oceania Football Confederation (“OFC”) which governs Oceania membership countries to participate in the Qualifying Tournament. The wining team will be qualified as the OFC’s representative at the Games of the XXXII Olympiad, Tokyo 2020 Men’s Olympic Football Tournament.

The Samoan national team is placed in Group A along with all-time favourites New Zealand, Solomon Islands and American Samoa.

Coach Desmond Edward said that New Zealand team is the same team that participated in the XVI 2019 Pacific games recently hosted here in Apia.

“We are in the same pool with the New Zealand Men’s U-23 team that participated in the XVI Pacific games and are also holders of the Gold Medal in this division. In that regard, there is a huge gap in terms of the team’s stance however we have prepared well for the tournament.”

The Samoa National team has four (4) overseas players and fifteen (15) local players.

“These players were selected from the 2019 College football tournament and the FFS Youth National League recently completed. The team have been together for two (2) months now and there is no doubt we will get a positive outcome from the tournament, says Desmond.  Edward.

Samoa will play its first match of the tournament against New Zealand on the 21st September 2019, second match on the 24^th September 2019 against Solomon Islands and final game on the 27^th September 2019 with American Samoa.

Team lists:

1. Pele Fatu (GK) – Vaivase tai FC
2. Tauati tanoai – Defender – Lupe ole Soaga Samoa rush
3. Harlen Craig Russel – Defender – Glenfield Rovers (NZ)
4. Osa Savelio – Defender – Lepea FC
5. Jay Popese – Defender – Vaipuna SC
6. Va’a Taualai – Midfielder – Lupe ole Soaga Samoa rush
7. Willie Sauiluma – Mifielder – GV Suns SC (AUS)
8. John Michael Tumua Leo – Midfielder – Vaipuna SC
9. Kawasaki Saofaiga – Forward – Lepea FC
11. Ronnie Bourne – Forward – Vaitele Uta
12. Sean Atherton – Midfielder – Oratia United (NZ)
13. Silo Tumua – Midfielder – Vaipuna SC
14. Samuelu Malo – Midfielder – Kiwi FC
15. Christian Ismile Aluni – Defender – Vaivase tai FC
16. Darcy Knight – Midfielder – Onehunga Mangere (NZ)
17.  Fomai Euta – Midfielder – Vaitele Uta
18. Jefferson Fa’amatau – Defender – Vaipuna SC
19. Jerrymiah Maiava – Defender – Vaivase tai FC
20. Tavita Jr Galuvao (GK) – Vaitele Uta

Management

1. Richmond Desmond Edward – Head Coach (SAM)
2. Fa’aae Tafea – Assistant Coach (SAM)
3. Tomonori Sugiyama – Goal keeper coach (JPN)
4. Rodney Stowers – Manager (SAM)
5. Siaosi Tagiilima – Head of Delegation (SAM)