His famous cousin is one of the most well-known and exciting talents in the FA Premiership and his exploits at the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 caught the eye of big clubs all over the world.
But Waikato FC youngster Damian Fonoti – cousin of dynamic midfielder Tim Cahill – is hopeful that Samoa U20 will be able to give a good account of themselves despite a short build-up.
“Our team has some good players but we might be short of experience in different match situations”, Fonoti the powerful NZFC midfielder said.
Samoa’s U20 build-up began brightly enough with a 2-1 win over a local composite selection at the OFC Academy last Saturday followed up by a heartening 3-3 draw with a Northern League club Ngaruawahia United. Samoa bounced back twice from a goal down to secure the draw in the closing moments and with just ten men.
Fonoti’s path to football began with his step-father who encouraged both Damian and his twin brother Adrian to take up the game given their athleticism and aptitude for ball sports.
“It was difficult at first changing from rugby to soccer and my mates gave me a difficult time about it”, Fonoti says, but that was quickly forgotten when both boys attended Mount Albert Grammar and entered the tutelage of former New Zealand 1982 World Cup coach Kevin Fallon.
“Kevin was great to learn from he is a very passionate coach and I enjoyed playing for him at MAGS.”
The relationship between Fallon and Fonoti has endured with the young Samoan travelling from Auckland to play for Gisborne City in the Central League competition. A call-up to crisis-torn Waikato FC in the NZFC followed quickly when Dan Robinson – Fonoti’s teammate and goalkeeper at Gisborne City – signed on with the Hamilton-based franchise.
Damian says the season has been a mentally tough experience with no less than three coaches involved – Dave Edmonson, Ray Pooley, and now Roger Wilkinson – but he has been able to make a big impression as an impact player off the bench and won admirers for his explosive pace and direct running.
When asked who his ultimate football hero is Fonoti barely hesitates. “My cousin, Tim Cahill, definitely.” Fonoti was hardly aware of the family connection until a family gathering some years ago when Fonoti walked out the backdoor of his families home and Cahill casually walked inside.
“I had to look twice and then said to my mum, ‘Hey, that’s Tim Cahill, mum..!’, and she said, ‘Yes, he’s your cousin.'” It was amazing and he was really friendly and down to earth. We hugged and he smiled a lot.”
Fonoti will be hoping Samoa U20 will have something to smile about come the start of the OFC U20 Men’s Championship tournament next week but realises the difficult task before his countrymen who, even at this late stage, are not certain of their final squad. But despite this – and with such a strong football tradition in his family background – there are sure to be moments of sublime skill.