Football Pacific Games squad announced

By Soli Wilson 08 June 2019, 12:00PM

The 46 men and women who will represent Samoan football in the Pacific Games have been selected.

Both teams include 12 overseas players coupled with 11 local players. Overseas players include those from New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii and London. 

Assistant Coaches, Fa'aeanu'u Paul Ualesi and Leti Aniva Tamasese, revealed the names of the 23 players who will represent Samoa in the Men's and Women's league. 

The official football draw for the Games in July was also revealed on Thursday and they have already spotted out their toughest competitors.

The men's team are leading the Pool A with Tonga, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. 


For the women, Samoa is also in Pool A along with Fiji, American Samoa, Tonga and New Caledonia.

"I know it’s a tough draw but in my opinion the toughest we would be going against is Fiji in our pool," said Leti.

"New Zealand is one of the best teams as well and even Vanuatu and P.N.G., and we respect Tonga as well. As I’ve said, all the teams will be here to win, no one will be here to have a vacation, they are coming to compete," Fa'aeanu'u said.

In terms of preparations, both teams are working very hard to set high standards as a host country for the Pacific Games.

"Like yesterday we just finished our fitness test yesterday and I am ranking the fitness level at B plus right now and we are working hard for that. 

"But we’re trying and doing our very best because we are hosting and we need to compete for this tournament and we need to reach our missions to get a medal.

"Right now we’re really working hard for our fitness level as well. The preparations are going well, and we are taking this very seriously because we are hosting," said Faaeanu'u.


He added they are also trying to build up the boys' confidence especially their relationships on and off the field.

"And the local boys right now, we have a camp from Monday until Saturday to try and do capacity building for the boys for their confidence and all their preparations for the Pacific Games, even the overseas we have one of our management in New Zealand working hard with the overseas players," revealed Faaeanu'u.

According to Leti, the overseas players for the women's team will be combined with the local players on the first week of July in a camp.

"For now we are still preparing, through trainings in the evening and every morning. And this is how it’s going to go til the first week of July, which is also going to be the week all the players will be combined in a camp. This camp will be where we select our first eleven," she said.

MEN'S TEAM

Falavelave Matagi

Samoa

Pele Fatu

Samoa

Matt Johnston

NZ

Tauati Tanoai

Samoa

Andrew Setefano

Samoa

Richie Ueligitone

Samoa

Faitalia Hamilton-Pama

NZ

Harlen

NZ

Keone Kapisi

Hawaii

Lawrie

Samoa

Vaa Taualai

Samoa

George Konusi

NZ

Michael Leo

Samoa

Kevin Daniells

AUS

Darren Siaosi Talilai

Samoa

Jarvis Filimalae

NZ

Will Sauiluma

AUS

Tom Konusi

NZ

Seean Atherton

NZ

Vito Laloata

 Samoa

Andrew Mobberly

London

Lapalapa Toni

 NZ

Mike Saofaiga

Samoa


WOMEN'S TEAM.

Epi Tafili

Samoa

Patricia Aoelua

Samoa

Tiare Tuimavave

USA

Moreva Mauma

NZ

Rivalina Fuimaono

NZ

Sina Sataraka

USA

Renee Atonio

USA

Torijan Lyne-Lewis

NZ

Lianna Soifua

USA

Melesete Aka

Samoa

Vineta Faleaana

Samoa

Talaesea Mulitalo Fogapapa

Samoa

Semeatu Lemana

Samoa

Alisa Tuatagalo

NZ

Jecky Toma

Samoa

Ronisa Lipi

NZ

Maddy Ah Ki

AUS

Hana Malo

Samoa

Hazel Peleti

Samoa

Suitupe Tafafa

Samoa

Mariah Bullock

USA

Matalena Daniells

AUS

Caitlin Pritchard

NZ


Tags

Football
Oceania Football Confederation
By Soli Wilson 08 June 2019, 12:00PM
Samoa Observer

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