Samoa national football team

Samoa
Association	Football Federation Samoa
Confederation	OFC (Oceania)
Head coach	Matt Calcott
Captain	Andrew Setefano
Most caps	Desmond Fa'aiuaso (20)
Top scorer	Desmond Fa'aiuaso (9)
Home stadium	National Soccer Stadium
FIFA code	SAM
First colours	Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	NR (21 September 2023)[1]
Highest	146 (December 2007)
Lowest	204 (November 2011)
First international
	Solomon Islands 12–0 Western Samoa ; (Suva, Fiji; 31 August 1979)
Biggest win
	American Samoa 0–8 Samoa ; (Coffs Harbour, Australia; 9 April 2001)
Biggest defeat
	Tahiti 13–0 Western Samoa ; (Honiara, Solomon Islands; 13 July 1981)
OFC Nations Cup
Appearances	2 (first in 2012)
Best result	Group stage, 2012 and 2016

The Samoa men's national association football team (Samoan: Sāmoa soka au) represents Samoa in men's international football and it is controlled by the Football Federation Samoa, the governing body for football in Samoa. Samoa's home ground is Toleafoa J. S. Blatter Soccer Stadium in Apia. It was known as the Western Samoa national football team until 1997.

History

Beginnings (1979–1993)

Although they had not taken part in the first five editions of the South Pacific Games, their geographical proximity to Fiji, host of 1979 South Pacific Games, allowed them to participate for the first time. They lost both group stage matches to Wallis and Futuna 3–1 and Solomon Islands 12–0. Four years later, as hosts of the 1983 edition, they beat American Samoa 3–1, drew 3–3 with Tonga and fell again to Wallis and Futuna, but the results allowed them to advance to the next round. In the quarterfinals, Tahiti eliminated them by beating them 2–0.

Samoa entered qualification for the 1988 Summer Olympics however they were defeated by New Zealand over two legs, losing 7–0 at home before being defeated 12–0 in Auckland. In the playoffs for the next round Samoa lost to Taiwan 5–0 and were eliminated.

Regional Frustrations (1994–2010)

In 1994 they hosted the first edition of the Polynesia Cup, where they beat American Samoa, tied with Tonga and lost to Tahiti to finish in third position. In 1998 they were third again, coming within a point of the Cook Islands in second. Samoa returned to finish third again in the 2000 edition by beating Tonga and American Samoa, but losing to the Cook Islands and Tahiti.

After four tournaments absent, they returned in the 2007 South Pacific Games as hosts. They managed six points by beating Tonga and American Samoa again, but were eliminated after being losing to the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

OFC Nations Cup (2011–present)

In 2011 it hosted the OFC Nations Cup qualifying tournament. There, they beat the Cook Islands 3–2, drew 1–1 with Tonga and defeated American Samoa 1–0 to qualify for the first time in their history. At the championship proper, they were beaten 10–1 by Tahiti, 5–0 by Vanuatu and 9–0 by New Caledonia.

In the 2016 qualifiers, they beat American Samoa 3–2 and lost 1–0 to the Cook Islands. In their final game, the Samoan team defeated Tonga 3–0 and qualified on goal difference, because of American Samoa's 2–0 win over the Cookian team. At the tournament, which took place in Papua New Guinea, the Samoan team lost 4–0 to Tahiti, 7–0 to New Caledonia and 8–0 to the local team. Therefore, they finished in last place in their group without a single point.

Kit sponsorship

Kit supplier[2]	Period
Puma	?
Lotto	2003
Uhlsport	2005
Lotto	2007–13
Nike	2015–16
Adidas	2017–

Results and fixtures

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania, Samoa have not played any matches since they took part in the 2019 Pacific Games.

Coaching staff

Position	Name
Head coach	Matt Calcott
Assistant coach	Alastair McLae
Goalkeeping coach	Joseph Kapisi
Team manager	Saolotoga Pula
Technical adviser	Jess Ibrom
Gear manager	Bevan Kapisi
International Scout	Alastair McLae
International Scout	Russ Gurr

Coaching history

Terry Epa (1996–2001)
Vic Fernandez (2001–2002)
Malo Vaga (2002)
David Brand (2002/2005)
Rudi Gutendorf (2003)
Falevi Umutaua (2007)
Tunoa Lui (2011)
Malo Vaga (2012–2014)
Phineas Young (2014–2016)
Scott Easthope (2016–2020)
Matt Calcott (2021–present)

Players

The following players were called up for the 2019 Pacific Games.[3]

Caps and goals correct as of 18 July 2019, after the game against Vanuatu.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Faalavelave Matagi	(1997-03-13) 13 March 1997	7	0	Lupe o le Soaga
23	1GK	Eti Fatu	(2001-02-25) 25 February 2001	0	0	Vaivase-Tai

3	2DF	Tauati Tanoa'i	(1998-04-19) 19 April 1998	3	0	Lupe o le Soaga
4	2DF	Kevin Daniells	(1999-05-19) 19 May 1999	3	0	Innisfall United
5	2DF	Faitalia Hamilton-Pama	(1993-05-17) 17 May 1993	6	1	Central United
6	2DF	Andrew Setefano (captain)	(1987-08-10) 10 August 1987	15	0	Lupe o le Soaga
16	2DF	Harlen Russell	(2000-03-27) 27 March 2000	2	0	Glenfield Rovers
19	2DF	Sean Atherton	(1999-09-24) 24 September 1999	3	0	Oratia United
20	2DF	Lawrie Letutusa	(1993-06-11) 11 June 1993	5	0	Lupe o le Soaga
22	2DF	Mattew Johnston	(1987-11-05) 5 November 1987	0	0	Mount Albert-Ponsonby

2	3MF	Keone Kapisi	(1994-04-19) 19 April 1994	4	0	BYU Cougars
8	3MF	George Konusi	(1990-01-11) 11 January 1990	4	0	Manukau City
9	3MF	Vaa Taualai	(1998-06-04) 4 June 1998	2	0	Lupe o le Soaga
12	3MF	Mike Saofaiga	(1991-01-12) 12 January 1991	10	0	Lepea
13	3MF	Willie Sauiluma	(2000-07-12) 12 July 2000	4	0	Pascoe Vale
14	3MF	Darren Talilai	(1995-10-23) 23 October 1995	1	0	Vaitele Uta
18	3MF	John Tumua Leo	(2003-01-15) 15 January 2003	0	0	Lupe o le Soaga
21	3MF	Ritchievoy Ueligitone	(1994-07-06) 6 July 1994	2	0	Lupe o le Soaga

7	4FW	Lapalapa Toni	(1994-04-07) 7 April 1994	6	0	Lupe o le Soaga
10	4FW	Andrew Mobberley	(1992-03-10) 10 March 1992	10	2	Greenhithe Catimba
11	4FW	Vito Laloata	(1996-10-15) 15 October 1996	4	3	Hekari United
15	4FW	Thomas Konusi	(1996-06-11) 11 June 1996	2	0	Mount Albert-Ponsonby
17	4FW	Jarvis Filimalae	(2003-04-20) 20 April 2003	2	0	Lupe o le Soaga

Player records

As of 18 July 2019[4]

Players in bold are still active with Samoa.

Most capped players

Rank	Name	Caps	Goals	Career
1	Desmond Fa'aiuaso	20	9	2001–2016
2	Filipo Bureta	14	0	2001–2016
	Andrew Setefano	14	0	2011–2019
	Lionel Taylor	14	1	2004–2016
5	Junior Michael	13	5	1996–2007
6	Silao Malo	12	2	2011–2016
7	Pualele Lemana	11	3	2001–2004
7	Mike Saofaiga	11	0	2011–2019
9	Jarrell Sale	10	0	2007–2015
9	Penitito Tumua	10	2	2004–2011

Top goalscorers

Rank	Name	Goals	Caps	Ratio	Career
1	Desmond Fa'aiuaso	9	20	0.45	2001–2016
2	Junior Michael	5	13	0.38	1996–2007
3	Tama Fasavalu	3	4	0.75	2002–2004
3	Pualele Lemana	3	11	0.27	2001–2004
5	Albert Bell	2	3	0.67	2011
	Chris Cahill	2	3	0.67	2007
	Luke Gosche	2	3	0.67	2011–2012
	Vito Laloata	2	3	0.67	2015–2019
	Peniamina Timo	2	5	0.4	2001–2002
	Johnny Hall	2	6	0.33	2015–2016
	Ben Lemana	2	6	0.33	1996–2001
	Andrew Mobberley	2	9	0.22	2015–2019
	Penitito Tumua	2	10	0.2	2004–2011
	Silao Malo	2	12	0.17	2011–2016

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup record									FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 1990	did not enter								did not enter
1994	Withdrew								Withdrew
1998	did not qualify								2	1	0	1	2	2
2002									4	1	0	3	9	18
2006									4	1	0	3	5	11
2010									4	2	0	2	9	8
2014									6	2	1	3	6	27
2018									6	2	0	4	6	22
2022	Withdrew								Withdrew
2026	to be determined								to be determined
Total	–	0/22	–	–	–	–	–	–	26	9	1	16	37	88

OFC Nations Cup

Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record									Qualification record
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1973	Did not enter								Did not enter
1980	Did not enter								Did not enter
1996	Did not qualify								3	1	1	1	5	10
1998									4	2	0	2	8	7
2000									4	2	0	2	13	6
2002									4	2	0	2	8	9
2004									4	1	0	3	5	11
2008									4	2	0	2	9	8
2012	Group stage	8th	3	0	0	3	1	24	3	2	1	0	5	3
2016	Group stage	8th	3	0	0	3	0	19	3	2	0	1	6	3
2024	To be determined								To be determined
Total	Group stage	2/10	6	0	0	6	1	43	29	14	2	13	59	57

Pacific Games

Pacific Games record
Year	Round	Position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1963 to 1975	did not enter
1979	Group Stage	10th	3	0	0	3	3	19
1983	Quarter-finals	6th	4	1	1	2	7	8
1987 to 2003	did not enter
2007	Group Stage	5th	4	2	0	2	9	8
2011 to 2015	did not enter
2019	Group Stage	8th	4	1	0	3	3	22
Total	Quarter-finals	4/15	15	4	1	10	22	57

Head-to-head record

As of 18 July 2019[5]

Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	WPCT
American Samoa	10	10	0	0	44	5	+39	100.00
Australia	1	0	0	1	0	11	−11	0.00
Chinese Taipei	1	0	0	1	0	5	−5	0.00
Cook Islands	6	2	1	3	8	9	−1	33.33
Fiji	5	0	0	5	2	22	−20	0.00
Guam	1	0	0	1	2	4	−2	0.00
New Caledonia	4	0	0	4	0	29	−29	0.00
New Zealand	2	0	0	2	0	19	−19	0.00
Papua New Guinea	5	0	0	5	3	26	−23	0.00
Solomon Islands	3	0	0	3	0	20	−20	0.00
Tahiti	7	0	0	7	3	43	−40	0.00
Tonga	11	6	3	2	21	9	+12	54.55
Tuvalu	1	0	0	1	0	3	−3	0.00
Vanuatu	5	0	0	5	1	36	−35	0.00
Wallis and Futuna	2	0	0	2	2	5	−3	0.00
Total	64	18	4	42	86	246	−160	28.13

Source: 1979–97 results and 1998–present results

Includes results as Western Samoa.

References

"The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
"Samoa Football Shirts". OldFootballShirts.com. Archived from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
Pauga, Angela Lafaialii (10 June 2019). "Pacific Games Squad announced". FFS. Archived from the original on 3 July 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
"Samoa". National Football Teams.
"World Football Elo Ratings: Samoa". Elo Ratings. Archived from the original on 20 January 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2017.

External links

Samoa at OFC
Samoa at FIFA

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.

[FIFA_World_Rankings-1] "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.

[2] "Samoa Football Shirts". OldFootballShirts.com. Archived from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 4 April 2020.

[3] Pauga, Angela Lafaialii (10 June 2019). "Pacific Games Squad announced". FFS. Archived from the original on 3 July 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2019.

[4] "Samoa". National Football Teams.

[5] "World Football Elo Ratings: Samoa". Elo Ratings. Archived from the original on 20 January 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2017.

National football teams of Oceania (OFC)
OFC Nations Cup
Active	American Samoa Cook Islands FS Micronesia² Fiji Kiribati¹ New Caledonia New Zealand Niue² Palau² Papua New Guinea Samoa Solomon Islands Tahiti Tonga Tuvalu¹ Vanuatu
Former	Australia (moved to AFC in 2006) Northern Mariana Islands³ (moved to AFC in 2009) Chinese Taipei (Taiwan)⁴ (returned to AFC in 1989)
¹ Associate member of OFC - Not a member of FIFA ² Not a member of OFC and consequently not a member of FIFA ³ Northern Mariana Islands was only an associate member of OFC between 1998 and 2009 - Not a member of FIFA ⁴ Although not geographically in Oceania, Chinese Taipei was a member of the OFC between 1976–1978 and 1982–1989 Although not geographically in Oceania Israel entered OFC World Cup qualification in 1986 and 1990 due to political reasons, though it never became a formal OFC member.

National sports teams of Samoa
Australian rules Badminton Basketball Cricket M W Field hockey M W Football M M U-23 M U-20 M U-17 W W U-20 W U-17 Futsal Netball W W U-21 Rugby league M W Rugby union M M U-20 W M7 W7 Softball Volleyball U-18
Olympics Paralympics Commonwealth Games