Samoa football coach Jess Ibrom is excited and is ready to go head-to-head with American Samoa on Friday. 

Ibrom is returning to work for Football Federation Samoa after a stint coaching the Cook Islands. Ibrom is excited to get started on Friday but is aware of the additional pressure for his team that comes with being hosts.

“It’s a defining experience to have this World Cup qualification campaign here in Apia, Samoa. It’s been a long time coming for varying reasons, mostly Covid, so we’re really looking forward to this one.

“We’ve got a number of players who have been through a number of campaign, Pacific Games, OFC Nations Cup etc. You know, we’ve got a good blend of younger players, more experienced players, like Andrew Setefano, who’s been through this a number of times.

“World Cup qualification is the pinnacle event for any country, so we understand what it means to the people of Samoa and we’ll be working really hard to represent the country very well tomorrow,” Ibrom said.

Saamoa has prepared well and the coach is happy with the way the team is responding. On paper, the home side has had a better record in all previous encounters.

But Ibrom knows that anything can happen on match day.

"These players have gone through a number of campaigns. If we qualify then we can play Vanuatu in October, then Tahiti in Hamilton, and then New Zealand in Auckland in November. That's why we're working so hard and I know the players are up for the challenge."

Captain Andrew Setefano shares the same sentiments as the coach. He believes his team is ready to take on the challenge.

There are four teams competing in the FIFA World Cup Qualifier, they are American Samoa, Cook Islands, Tonga, and Samoa. The winners of the games in Friday will clash on Monday to decide who advances to the next stage.