Football Federation Samoa has named a young and strong final squad for Samoa U16 team. The team will compete in the stage 1 Oceania Football Confederation OFC U16 championships.

The tournament will be hosted by Football Federation Samoa at Tuanaimato from 4th – 25th of August 2017. 

The last minute withdraws from the Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands teams from the tournament earlier this week were due to financial difficulties, the number of teams competing has now dropped from 11 to 8. 

Samoa is in Pool A alongside New Zealand, New Caledonia and Tahiti, while Fiji, Cook Islands, Tonga and American Samoa  are placed in Pool B.

Samoa’s first opponent for this tournament will be New Caledonia on August 5, following Tahiti on August 8, then their final pool match against New Zealand on August 12. 

Samoa U16 Technical Advisor Valerio Raccuglia said the team has been camping for two weeks, but their preparations started from end of March.

He mentioned that the selectors have been travelling around the globe to discover great talents from young Samoan girls near and far, and have selected more  overseas based players from U.S.A, Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii. 

Only five locally based players were lucky enough to get spots in the final team, including Helina Paulo from Elise Fou.

The girls are in good hands as they are coached by Guillermo Schiltenwolf. 

He emphasised that their camp is a family whereby players are getting to know more of the other player and remembering the name they’re carrying.

Schiltenwolf a former Head Coach for New Zealand Women’s Football team is confident and positive that his team will be playing New Zealand in the cup final for this tournament.

Alongside the management team has two strong female candidates Lynetta Laumea Faai’uaso, and Seimaleula Tunufai Mano who’s managing the welfare and taking care of the girls.

With all the preparations, Samoa U16 women’s team is set to shine and  make our nation proud.

Samoa U16 team

Meripa Seumanutafa.

Angela Jean Von Heiderbrant-Ali.

Sinautola Reiko. Sataraka.

Michayla Chamberlain.

Tiare Taine Tuimavave.

Faith Taeoalii.

Alisa Katenia Tuatagaloa.

Zoe Siera Ruby.

Madaleen Falaniko Ah-ki.

Nagem Iris Uigalelei.

Kaykeolani Tuituimoeao.

Helina Paulo.

Paepae Tuitama.

Mata Taliu.

Vineta Faleaana.

Alana Dorothy Tualaulelei.

Andreya Tuigaoliula Hall

Management

Head Coach: Guillermo Schiltenwolf

Technical Advisor: Valerio Raccuglia

Team Manager: Lynetta Laumea. Faai’uaso

Assistant Manager: Seimaleula Tunufa’i. Mano