American Samoa has qualified for an Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) tournament for the first time, following an action-packed 5–4 victory over the Cook Islands on Friday at the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2025 – Qualifying, in Rarotonga.
OFC reports that this marks the first time American Samoa has progressed from a qualifying competition to gain entry to an OFC event at any level.
The match shaped up as a shoot-out for a place at the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2025, with the Cook Islands needing a win to advance, while American Samoa required just a draw.
With so much on the line, it turned into a classic.
Captain Metuamrau Arere put the Cook Islands ahead in the sixth minute, but the lead was quickly canceled out by two goals in three minutes from American Samoa.
Wendolynn Tua leveled the score before Salamasina Satele capitalized on a goalkeeping error in the 11th minute to flip the contest on its head.
Satele added her second goal just eight minutes later, and Maryjane Laina made it four in the 25th minute when she converted a one-on-one situation with the Cook Islands.
Desperately in need of a goal, Tetianui Pitomaki pulled one back for the Cook Islands with a brilliant long-range effort in first-half stoppage time.
Captain Arere had the chance to further reduce the deficit to one from the penalty spot before the break, but Reililah Noa made a strong save to her left.
The goals kept coming in the second half, as Maryjane Laina scored her second for American Samoa—only for Arere to respond with her second for the Cook Islands.
The score stood at 5–3 to American Samoa with half an hour to play, but the Cook Islands continued to believe, and Metuamrau Arere completed her hat trick in the 74th minute to bring the hosts within one.
Despite some late pressure and numerous chances, American Samoa survived the onslaught and held on for the win, securing their historic qualification.
They will now join New Zealand, the Solomon Islands, and Tonga in Group B at the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2025 in Apia this August.
Malo lava, Team American Samoa!
Words & Photos: Oceania Football Confederation
