APIA: The Samoa Football (Soccer) Federation has announced its season will officially open this coming weekend with the annual GM Bakery Cup kicking off the year. SFSF technical director/national coach David Brand previews the GM Bakery Cup and how the teams stack up.
Cup holders Sogi will no doubt want to retain the prize possession they have held for the past two years, but Premier League and Champ of Champs winners Lepea will have a lot to say about that.
Expect Sinamoga, Moataa and Lupe ole Soaga to once again be up at the top battling it out but ultimately it will be the fittest and best organised early on who will steal a march on the rest.
New comers Central and Moamoa have the ability to upset the best on the day and again recruitment will be a huge issue with Central busy over the summer looking to strengthen their squad. Kiwi will be buoyed by the news of the lifted suspension of talented youngster Lionel Taylor. Along with the developing group of young players at the club, they will be hoping for a much-improved year.
This leaves Vaivase tai and Hosanna. The former and previously named the “Manchester United” of Samoan football, have fallen on hard times of late, despite winning the Champ of Champs in 2002. During the last campaign, goals were hard to come by and unless this is addressed a lean winter looks on the cards. Hosanna will be the unknown quantity but as shown during the promotion playoffs they have the ability and endeavour to cause a shock or two.
Adding some spice to the competition this year will be Manumea Samoa who will compete in the tournament as part of their preparations for the World Cup qualifiers in May. Don’t expect any fireworks here early on, as National Coach David Brand tinkers with his squad each week, before naming his final 20 in early April.
“The games are preparation for us and whilst I personally do not like losing any game, I will be giving all the players an opportunity to force their way into the final squad,” he said. “As a result you may well see major changes, game by game, which in the early weeks gives me chance to view all the squad in at least 1 competitive fixture. When you do this the odd poor result is to be expected. It is however how we perform and are we playing to instructions that counts.”
The GM Bakery Cup kicks off on Saturday 6th March at the J.S. Blatter Fields at Tuanaimato.
Follow the progress of the Cup by visiting the official Samoa Football (Soccer) Federation website linked to the OFC website. Just click on the Samoa association icon below the masthead on the homepage.