Utulei Youth Represent AS in OFC Championship

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Utulei Youth, 2015 FFAS National League champions, have arrived in the Cook Islands to represent American Samoa at the four-team, OFC Champions League Preliminary tournament.

Rev. Ioane Evagelia, president of the Utulei Youth Soccer Club said “he feels very confident with our preparation and I know the players will do their best.”

The team goes up against three other OFC Member Associations — Samoa’s Kiwi FC, Tonga’s Veitongo FC and the host country’s Tupapa Maraerenga.

The four teams will play a league-format tournament with the winner advancing to the second stage scheduled for a later date this year.

Rev Evagelia said they‘ve been training hard for about five months now, and our training has been solid, even though there were a few problems, especially for those who work.

He said that the idea of traveling to the Cook Islands “started to sink in their minds, and they started to focus on the training” sessions.

Their first game is scheduled Samoa’s Kiwi FC on Jan. 26 at 2:30 p.m. (1.30 p.m. local time).

They face off against Tonga’s Veitongo FC on Jan. 28 at the same time and then complete their tournament fixture against hosts Tupapa Maraerenga FC on Jan. 30.

Rev Evagelia thanked association, president, CEO (Tavita Taumua) and staff for their donations of money as well as the facilities and field for the team to prepare for this tournament.”

He also thanked the Utulei CCCAS congregation for their financial support and prayers.

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