Stakes are high as Samoa takes on Tonga in their last pool game needing nothing less than a win to make the semi-finals of the Oceania Women's Football Olympic Qualifiers on Tuesday afternoon.

Both teams have three points each after two games as both suffered losses at the hands of New Zealand. Tonga sits with a better goal difference and a draw will see them through.

The case is very much different for Samoa. With all overseas-based players in the team, the coaching staff knows they have to reach the semi-finals to justify this selection.

Xehlia Salanoa and Sasjah Vikolia Dade have experience playing national-level football and understand the importance of this game to the team.

“It’s win or go home so we need to make sure that we do what needs to be done to make sure that we can advance to the semi-finals,” said Salanoa.

In the last three encounters between the two nations, Samoa has come out victorious in all, but this time, the pressure is on as this will be the make-or-break game for team Samoa. 

Dade said this game would be more challenging due to physicality than tactics compared to New Zealand’s game on Saturday. She added that the team would need to go into tackles harder and play the game smart.

"I really feel that we have to show up, ” said Dade. 

The game is set to start at 4 pm at the FFS grounds in Tuanaimato. Entry is free to all. 

So far New Zealand and Fiji are through to the semi-finals from their respective pools. In Pool A, Papua New Guinea can still qualify if Fiji beats Solomon Islands and PNG scores nine goals against American Samoa. The Solomon Islanders need a draw.