American Samoa’s men’s team let the second half get away from them in a 13-0 loss to the Solomon Islands on July 15, 2019 at the Toleafoa JS Sports Complex in Tuanaimato, Samoa on July 15.
The Solomon Islands scored three goals in the first half and got an assist with an own goal by American Samoa to give them a 4-0 lead. But it was a hard fought four goals, as it took them 18 minutes to come up with their first one.
American Samoa did not sit back and defend but took the fight to their opponent, almost scoring first themselves with Ryan Samuelu beating the second to last opponent and then chipped the ball over a hard charging goalie, Timothy Maearasia. The chip went over Maearasia but it just went out of the right goal post by inches.
“Had that goal gone in, I think it would have changed the end result of the entire first half,” said Tunoa Lui, head coach of the American Samoa men’s team. “It was a great opportunity but unlucky.”
American Samoa went toe to toe with the Solomon Islands in that first half, giving no quarter despite getting scored on after a great effort in the game’s first 20 minutes.
In the second half, fitness level and skills came into play more, as the Solomon Islands edge in those areas gassed out the territory’s squad.
“Our players started off the game very well, they matched up well with the Solomon players and even were able to win a few tackles and go on the attack,” Lui said. “But Solomon Islands was just too well organized and executed their passing and ball movement. The pace they set they were able to keep it for the entire game and this eventually wore us down.
“Once our players got tired, they started missing their defensive assignments and became unorganized, allowing the Solomon Islands to score nine goals in the second half.”
Fiu Johnny Saelua, Governor Lolo Moliga’s chief of staff, and ASG budget director Catherine Saelua, were on hand to watch their son, Jaiyah Saelua play. The team thanked them and their supporters, and in turn Fiu expressed their gratitude for playing hard and giving it their best out on the field.
The men’s team has one more game left in the competition, another tough opponent in Tahiti on July 18. The team will depart for American Samoa the next day.
