Football Federation ends year on high note
The Football Federation Samoa (FFS) has ended the year 2020 on a high note with the success of their Upolu Senior League Competition which ran for 4 months and ended with a prize-giving ceremony for all participating clubs.
The FFS President Papali’i Samuel Leslie Petaia, speaking on behalf of the Executive Committee and the Federation, said that their tournament was a success despite the challenges they went through due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The tournament has been a success despite the many challenges we face due to COVID-19 restrictions. I want to thank all the management, players, coaches, referees, FFS staff, and supporters for making this tournament possible," he said.
"As one of the FFS goals is to develop our core clubs and at the same time driving the game to rural areas thus not forget our objective of developing our players for our National teams in the coming years."
They acknowledged FIFA and OFC for the financial assistance in developing the clubs for the domestic competition.
"Special thanks to our international federation FIFA and OFC for the financial assistance as we have invested in a lot of things to develop our clubs."
The 2020 Upolu National League tournament is one of FFS core competition where the winner of the Premier Men's Division will represent Samoa in the Oceania Football Cup Club championship tournament.
This year the FFS welcomed two new clubs and it is the hope of the FFS that more clubs will join their competitions.
The prize giving went as follow:
First Division Men’s
1st Place: Lupe o le Soaga – $3000
2nd Place: USP – $2,500
3rd Place: Lion of Judah – $1,500
4th Place: Faleasi’u SC – $1,000
Premier Women’s Division
1st Place: Moata’a SC – $6000
2nd Place: Kiwi FC – $5,000
3rd Place: Lupe o le Soaga – $4,000
4th Place: Faleasi’u – $3,000
Premier Men’s Division
1st Place: Lupe o le Soaga – $6000
2nd Place: Vaipuna SC – $5,000
3rd Place: Vaitele Uta – $4,000
4th Place: Vaivase tai – $3,000
Premier Women’s Division – Top 8
1st Place: Lupe o le Soaga – $2,000
2nd Place: Moata’a – $1,500
3rd Place: Fa’atoia United – $1,000
4th Place: Kiwi FC – $500
Premier Men’s Division – Top 8
1st Place: Lupe o le Soaga – $2,000
2nd Place: Vaipuna – $1,500
3rd Place: Vaitele Uta – $1,000
4th Place: Sogi FC – $500
Golden Glove – First Division Mens – Junior Bitner Tafili (Lupe o le Soaga)
Golden Glove – Premier Women’s Division – Repeka Asafo (Kiwi FC)
Golden Glove – Premier Men’s Division – Viliamu Ataga (Lupe o le Soaga)
Golden Boot (top scorer) Premier Women’s Division – Hazel Peleti (Moata’a)
Golden Boot (top scorer) Premier Men’s Division – Va’a Taualai / Michael Tumua Leo
Golden Boot (top scorer) First Division Men’s – Fredly Nipiko (USP)
Most Valuable Player – Premier Women’s Division – Afioga Ene (Lupe o le Soaga)
Most Valuable Player – Premier Men’s Division – Andrew Setefano (Lupe o le Soaga)
Most Valuable Player – First Division Men’s – Jason Demtri Limae (USP)
Official Prizes:
Savaii
Young & Upcoming referee: Tomasi Matu’u
Young & Upcoming assistant referee: Pisila Ionatana
Most Promising referee: Piula Baker
Most Promising assistant referee: Amusia Tita’e
Most Improve Referee: Gram Soke Toleafoa
Most Improve Assistant Referee: Lefiufinau Salu
Upolu
Female Assistant Referee: Clementina Toma
Male Assistant Referee: Gerard Ionatana
Male Referee of the Year: Lafi Ioane
Most Promising referee: Hanipale Jr Hanipale
Most Promising assistant referee: Amusia Tita’e
Most Improve Assistant Referee: Samuelu Malo, Peter Ioane