A total of eight teams have advanced to each division of this weekend's Football Federation of Samoa (F.F.S.) Youth National League competition 2020. 

The F.F.S. competition manager, Papalii Laautuivanu Lemamea Tuivanu, told the Samoa Observer a strong showing in the competition was proof of the strong interest in the game. 

The eight teams to advance are, for the U-8 mix teams: Lepea A, Vaigaga B, Sogi, Faleasiu A, Alamagoto A, Kiwi A, Moataa A, Moaula. 

For the U-12 teams, the final eight is composed of: Moataa A, Lupe B, Vaivase A, Lupe A, Vaiusu, Vaivase B, Lepea A, and Togafuafua.

"Tomorrow we will have our quarter-finals, semi-finals and our finals for the U-8 and U-12. So far with our league, we have seen so much increase in the number of participants and also fans and supporters,” he said. 

“Young footballers showing so much interest in the game is something that drives us to do our best in providing competitions like this to keep them active.”

The youth league is an initiative by the F.F.S. designed to identify elite players early. 

"We will select the best players from different teams to make-up an elite team and they will be in our centre programs,” he said. 

“This programme is set up by F.F.S. to develop grassroots levels and upgrade their football skills. This is assisted by the F.F.S. and it is a way for us to keep them active and the game spirit alive in them.”

For the U-8 matches on Saturday, Lepea A clashes with Vaigaga B, Sogi will face Faleasiu A; Alamagoto A will play against Kiwi A; and Moataa A will kick off against Moaula.

For the U-12 division, Moataa A will square up against Lupe B; Vaivase A faces Lupe A; Vaiusu will clash with Vaivase B; and Lepea A with Togafuafua.

The teams will be competing for a spot in the semi-finals and, hopefully, the final. 

In the U-8 mixed teams Lepea A is leading pool A, while Sogi leads Pool B. In the U-12 mixed teams Moataa leads pool A and Vaivase leads pool B.

The first quarter-finals are set to kick off at 9am on Saturday at the Football field at Tuanaimato.