Football Pacific Games squad announced
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 |
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