Leading the way was the iconic Desmond Faaiuaso, the team’s well-known star from the past decade, but a lesser known, yet equally effective, part of the equation was Andrew Mobberley.
The pair proved a constant menace with their pacy runs and swift interplay in their 3-2 derby win over American Samoa.
The New Zealand-based Mobberley was making his full international debut yet took to the elevated stage like an old hand. He set-up Faaiuaso’s opener after just four minutes, and by the half-hour mark had nabbed his first international goal.
The goal was celebrated with a fin on the forehead in reference to his nickname within the group as the ‘white shark’.
Mobberley, who was a prolific goalscorer during the recent winter season for Queenstown, will certainly have some bragging rights when he returns to New Zealand.
Unsurprisingly, Mobberley is still coming to terms with the fact he has scored in a World Cup qualifier.
“It is surreal,” Mobberley said of his goalscoring debut. “An unreal feeling definitely. My dad is here and pretty stoked for the family.
“It was tough, but I thought we came out pretty strong. American Samoa probably had more possession in the game. Going down to ten men didn’t help so it was pretty tough, but the boys kept going.
“We really wanted to get off to a good start. We wanted to high press. Move and press is our ideology.
“If we had a full team for the second half I think we probably would have got a few more.”
The 22-year-old looked in sync with Faaiuaso from the opening whistle, so it was little surprise that Mobberley relished working with the evergreen attacker.
“He is a smart and experienced player,” says Mobberley, who has Samoan heritage via his grandmother. “It works well between us. We have a good relationship, and when he drops off I go forward, and vice-versa.”
Now, Samoa know they can put one hand on a berth in Stage 2 with victory on Wednesday against Cook Islands, who opened with a 3-0 win over Tonga.
“We feel that we are playing and training well,” Mobberley said. “The group is working really well together.
“We definitely feel confident for the game against the Cooks. We had a little look at them and we feel we can push on for another win.”

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