Samoa’s National Under 16 Men’s squad has officially been announced by Coach Martin Tamasese.
The team will be representing Samoa in the upcoming OFC U-16 Men’s Championship in Tonga from the 14 – 20 July 2018.
Tamasese shared that his team are well prepared as their team have been training from November 2017. “Our team is well prepared and ready to take on the championship. They boys cannot wait to play. The selected players all play in the premier league division which is the highest level of football in Samoa, he said”
Asked for any challenges he faced while putting together the team, Tamasese stated that “one of the biggest challenges was trying to coordinate the player’s availability for team training and exercises as nearly all of them are in school.
Therefore, most will get to the field a bit late when it’s either dark or already dark. To overcome that, we had to put in a request to the Principals to allow the boys to be released early, so that has been great.”
Tamasese further said that they are ready for the big challenge ahead and they are focusing on winning for Samoa. The team has been working hard of their defence because there is a popular football saying which says “a team with a good defence is a winning team”. That is one of their plans for the upcoming tournament.
Tamasese acknowledged the support from the School Principals, the player’s parents, families, FFS clubs and football community for all the support rendered to the team. The team aims win the Championship for Samoa.
The team is as follows;
1. Semu Faimata – Kiwi FC
2. Eli Junior Satuala – Vaitele SC
3. Samu Galu Tauasa – Moaula FC
4. Tavita To’o – Kiwi FC
5. Fetuao Usaac Toby Belcher
6. Kawasaki Saofaiga – Lepea FC
7. Lotial Mano (C) – Vaivase FC
8. Bitner Tafili – Lupe ole Soaga
9. Falaniko Nanumea – Vaivase FC
10. John Michael Tumua Leo – Vaipuna SC
11. Jarvis Alatise – Kiwi FC
12. Tony Amituanai – Moaula FC
13. Stanley Leavai – Fa’atoia United
14. Isaako Poai Sione– Lupe ole Soaga
15. Alex Falelua – Faleasi’u SC
16. Denny Cheshire – Moamoa Roosters
17. Alman John Kwan – Vaivase FC
18. Steve Alan Vainalepa – Faleasiu SC
Management
1. Martin Tamasese – Head Coach
2. Silao Malo – Assistant Coach
3. Masi Toetu – Goal Keeper Coach
4. Michael Tualatamalelagi – Team Manager
5. Isaia Fealofai – Gear Manager
6. Afamasaga Sefine Kapisi – Head of Delegation