The side is set to battle Tupapa Maraerenga of Cook Islands, Lotoha’apai United of Tonga and Kiwi of Samoa – all victorious in their respective national leagues – for the final spot in next April’s OFC Champions League in Fiji.
Pago Youth president Silasila Samuelu says the team is more than ready for round two of the preliminary – after the same four clubs represented their countries in last year’s tournament held in Tonga.
“Our team management is quite comfortable with the makeup of our team right now compared to last year’s squad,” Samuelu says.
“The biggest plus for this team is experience, with at least eight players returning from the team that went to the tournament hosted by Tonga.”
Samuelu and the coaching team – head coach Ailao Tualaulelei Senior and assistant coach Sei Faapale – will be leaning on veteran players like Gene Neemia, Ryan Samuelu, Alatina Vaialii, Ailao Tualaulelei Jnr. And Sam Tualaulelei to guide the team through the upcoming tournament.
Confident of their chances, Pago Youth believe hosting the tournament will offer them an advantage over their rivals.
“This is the second year for this preliminary tournament involving these four island nations,” says Federation Football American Samoa president Faiivae Alex Godinet.
“We hope everyone will come out to watch and especially support our club representatives Pago Youth.”
Godinet says if successful this tournament could lead to more of its kind being held on the USA territory.
“We are looking forward to hosting this competition and we hope that it will become the of many OFC tournaments to be held in our territory,” he says.
The winner of the Preliminary will earn direct entry to the group stage of the OFC Champions League 2014 scheduled to be held in Fiji in April 2014.
They will join 11 other Oceania club champions and runners-up in the battle for the title which will see the victorious side qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2014.

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