Utulei upset 2013 Division 1 National League champions, FC SKBC, 4-3 and at the same time wresting the National Cup away for themselves while Vaiala Tongan beat PanSa 6-2.
PanSa and Vaiala Tongan are both playing in Division 1 after moving up from the lower division during the 2013 season and on paper, the former was tabbed as a serious contender to SKBC this year with the inclusion of many Pago Youth players in their squad.
“It just goes to show that anything can happen and these upsets made the first weekend a very interesting one with more to follow for the remainder of the season,” explained FFAS CEO Tavita Taumua.
Division 2’s National Cup holder from 2013, Vaitogi United, retained their hardware after a 1-1 draw against a strong challenge from Faga’alu Green Bay.
In the women’s division, Black Roses will not be back to defend their cup for a third straight year with no team registered for the competition. Green Bay came out as the holder and Utulei Youth the challenger after a drawing of lots last week.
Utulei Youth is now the first team to hold two National Cups at the same time with their women’s squad taking it away from Green Bay after a strong, 3-0 win.
DIVISION 1
With only six teams competing, SKBC looked to be the strongest team on paper, followed by the likes of PanSa and Lion Heart.
But a strong, first game showing by Vaiala Tongan A has their name thrown into the mix and Utulei’s upset has also put other teams on notice that they are a threat as well.
UTULEI YOUTH 4, FC SKBC 3
Cousins Kaleopa Siligi and Ne’emia Kaleopa scored two goals apiece for Utulei Youth in a back and forth scoring game that saw Siligi score what would turn out to be the winner with only four minutes remaining in the match.
That score gave Utulei a 4-2 lead and a two-goal cushion that came in handy when SKBC’s Steve Garcia scored to make it 4-3.
VAIALA TONGAN A 6, PANSA 2
PanSa was Division 2’s champions with Vaiala Tongan finishing second to them in 2013 but the week leading up to the opening day of the competition saw a good number of players from Pago Youth join ranks with PanSa.
PanSa was shocked in the first half by Vaiala Tongan with a 4-0 lead thanks to a PK and an own goal.
Sinisa Tua scored two goals in the match to help his team beat PanSa and take pole position in the standings after the first Match Day.
In the only other division’s match besides the cup game, Lion Heart won by forfeit over the Tafuna Jets.
DIVISION 2
VAITOGI UNITED 1, GREEN BAY 1
Vaitogi United walked off with a draw thanks to an own goal by Green Bay.
That own goal came in the first half but it did not bring their spirits down as Green Bay kept up the attack with its speedy players that resulted in the equalizer midway through the second half.
Both teams had a few more chances after that and Vaitogi was able to retain the Cup with the draw.
ATU’U BRONCOS 4, BLACK ROSES 2
Malala Iose scored twice to help lead the Atu’u Broncos over the Black Roses 4-2.
It was a close first half with the score tied at two apiece but the Broncos came out strong in the second to earn their the win.
ILAOA & TO’OMATA 7, VAIALA TONGAN B 3
Ilaoa & To’omata saw a host of chances miss while the newest team of the competition with a host of young players gave it their best for a 2-2 first half showing.
However, the second half completely went Ilaoa & To’omata’s way as they dominated possession and shots on target to finish with a 7-3 win.
WOMEN’S DIVISION
UTULEI YOUTH 3, GREEN BAY 0
By the end of the first half Utulei was up 2-0 and they added to the score with a goal in the second half to wrest the cup away from Green Bay.
Scoring for Utulei were Vangie Evagelia, Tuaiva Ino and Fiapa’ipa’i Siatu’u.
PANSA 2, ILAOA & TO’OMATA
PanSa beat Ilaoa & To’omata thanks to Faga Houston and an own goal by the latter in the only other women’s match.
There are only five teams in this year’s competition with Lion Heart sitting out with a bye last Saturday.
Ends