Tonga and Cook Islands faced off in the appetizer for Matchday Three of the OFC First Round in Apia. For the group finales, the skies opened up, bringing a heavy downpour that ceased just before kickoff for the first match, leaving the field inundated and creating different conditions with which the four teams were to contend. Tonga managed to take a lead before thirty minutes had expired, but a second goal was stopped at the goalmouth by the excess buildup of water. Cook Islands took advantage of their luck to score the equalizer eight minutes after Tonga's opener. Tonga looked to be the stronger team, but the half finished 1-1.In the second period, Tonga continued to look for the attack. It took more than the allotted forty-five minutes, but Tonga broke through in the first minute of stoppage time for a well-deserved 2-1 lead after launching multiple shots on the Cook Islands goal throughout the half. Cook Islands then put the ball into the Tongan net in the third minute of stoppage time, but the play was called back for a foul. The final whistle blew, and Tonga ended their 2014 campaign with a 2-1 victory.
With the eyes of the world upon them, hosts Samoa and visitors American Samoa faced off in the final match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup to take place in 2011. Samoa needed but a tie to continue on with their tournament; American Samoa needed a win. The teams had already logged 180 minutes over the previous four days, but only another 90 separated them from the OFC Second Round in June. From the opening kickoff, Samoa were in complete control of the match, dominating possession and putting American Samoa goalkeeper Nicky Salapu under constant siege. Salapu had to make various saves off free kicks, open play, and corner kicks, but the visitors held firm in the rain. American Samoa were forced to make a first-half injury substitution for Uasi Heleta, but they continued with their game plan of hitting long through balls in the hopes of latching onto one for a one-on-one opportunity. Salapu continued to rise to the challenges of Samoa's four-headed attack of Desmond Fa'aiuaso, Jared Curtis, Shaun Easthope, and Silao Malo, so American Samoa escaped to the locker room with the score even at zero. Malo was particularly dangerous as the half ended, but he was twice denied just before the halftime whistle.
In spite of their frustrating lack of a goal, Samoa were on pace to claim their spot in the next round even with a 0-0 result. Ten minutes in, American Samoa brought on an extra forward in place of a defender, but they could not shift the momentum. American Samoa utilized resolute defending to turn away nearly a dozen corner kick opportunities throughout the match. With thirteen minutes left in the match, Samoa had a one-on-one turned away by Salapu, the man of the match in search of the first clean sheet in American Samoa's history. Four minutes later against the run of player, American Samoa beat the goalkeeper but knock the ball of the post and not into the open net. The final ten minutes of play went American Samoa's way, but they were unable to find a goal, so they threw caution to the wind and sent everyone forward. Malo scored on the counterattack in the final minute to win the match 1-0 for Samoa, though he suffered an injury during the mad celebration. With the victory, Samoa are through to the OFC Second Round Group A, where they will join New Caledonia, Vanuatu, and Tahiti. American Samoa finish with their first ever win and draw in FIFA competition, but they are eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Samoa 7 pts - IN
Tonga OUT
American Samoa OUT
Cook Islands OUT
Goals
Tonga
Timote Maamaaloa 27
Kinitoni Falatau 90+1
Cook Islands
Grover Harmon 35
Samoa
Silao Malo 90
Match Reports:
Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npEkV8ihxnM (Tonga v. Cook Islands)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCl2Tcsl5r8 (Samoa v. American Samoa)
