OFC First Round Matchday One took place today in Apia, and it was not short on drama. The first matchup featured perenially underdogs American Samoa against a favored Tonga side, winners of all seven previous matchups between the two teams. American Samoa had lost its only twelve previous FIFA World Cup qualifiers, dating back to the 2002 tournament. American Samoa had also lost all five of its matches at the 2011 South Pacific Games in August and September. However, Tonga had only played two matches since the previous FIFA World Cup qualifying cycle and have the youngest head coach in men's international football. American Samoa centerback Johnny Saelua became the first ever transgender competitor in the FIFA World Cup when the whistle blew and she was in the starting lineup. In the opening half of the matchup, both teams were having trouble generating offense. American Samoa's Ramin Ott smashed a shot off the bar just past the thirty-minute mark. Nevertheless, with one minute left in the half, Ott, American Samoa's lone goalscorer from the 2010 tournament, scored their opener from long-range to give American Samoa their first ever lead in a FIFA World Cup match, 1-0 at the half. Ott is now their all-time leading goalscorer with two goals.
In the second half, American Samoa continued to push for history. They shot wide of the post in a bid to extend their lead. However, with little more than a quarter hour to go, Shalom Luani scored American Samoa's second goal of the match with a chip goal for an unexpected 2-0 lead. With three minutes left in the match, Tonga pulled one back off a header from a corner kick, but their desperate comeback attempt fell short as Saelua cleared a ball off the line in the final minute. American Samoa win 2-1 to record their victory ever points and victory in the FIFA World Cup. Luani becomes the first man to score a game-winning goal for American Samoa in a FIFA World Cup. Nicky Salapu, goalkeeper for American Samoa during their record-breaking 31-0 loss to Australia in 2001, found redemption tonight with a great save in the final couple minutes to preserve his team's victory.
In the second matchup, the host team for the OFC First Round Samoa opened their tournament against Cook Islands, considered by many to be their biggest challengers for the one spot available in the OFC Second Round. If the first match was historic, the second match was nothing but pure drama. Luki Gosche scored the opener for Samoa off a pass from Desmond Fa'aiuaso, who were up 1-0 after twenty minutes. Samoa then had a penalty kick saved. Cook Islands goalkeeper Iona Lupena saved a kick from Silao Malo. Cook Islands player Campbell Bell equalized with ten minutes left in the half after a loose ball was spilled by Samoa's goalkeeper, but Samoa immediately responded with a beautiful equalizer by Gosche, who feinted the goalie and slotted past him for the 2-1 lead that Samoa would take into the half.
In the second period, it was a battle of the bells. Samoa really should have put the match away but they hit the post twice, keeping Cook Islands alive in the match. Bell equalized for Cook Islands off a half-volley with five minutes to go, leaving the group delicately in the balance. A tie would likely mean that Cook Islands and Samoa would battle for the group crown via goal differential over their final two matches. However, Samoa had other plans, and in the second minute of stoppage time Albert Bell scored to give Samoa a 3-2 and a share of the group lead with two matchdays to go.
Both Samoa and American Samoa have three points, and their matchup on Matchday Three could prove to be decisive. Matchday Two on Thursday will open with American Samoa against Cook Islands and will close with Samoa facing Tonga.
Goals
American Samoa
Ramin Ott 44
Shalom Luani 74
Tonga
Unaloto Ki Atenoa Feao 87
Samoa
Luki Gosche 20, 37
Albert Bell 90+2
Cook Islands
Campbell Bell 36, 85
Match Reports:
Highlights:
The fixture list was decided upon at a meeting in Prague on 29 November 2011. Group B consists of six teams, and they are listed from highest seed to lowest seed: Italy, Denmark, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Armenia, and Malta.
