26 Jan 2013

Sport: American Samoa footballers confident ahead of final match

6:09 am on 26 January 2013

American Samoa are feeling full of confidence ahead of their deciding final round match at the Oceania Under 17 Preliminary football tournament.

The territory stunned tournament favourites the Cook Islands 3-0 on Thursday to surge to the top of the standings.

A win over Tonga will all but guarantee them the final berth at the full Oceania Under 17 Championship in April and team manager Tevita Taumua says they're ready to go.

"It's a huge thing for us - for American Samoa people - because we have never won a preliminary competition - and it is something that is really motivate and it's good for the country and especially the local association. It's something that we are looking forward to and I think the boys are prepared and they're aware of the final decision, or the result, if we are going to win."

Samoa and the Cook Islands also play today, with both teams still a chance to win the four-team competition.

Both games kick off at three o'clock local time.