PNG routed American Samoa

Papua New Guinea outclassed American Samoa with a resounding 8-2 victory in the OFC Under-16 Women’s Qualifiers on Wednesday, April 21st, at PNG Football Stadium in Port Moresby.

The hosts put on a clinical performance in the first half and dominated the disjointed American Samoa, taking a comfortable 6-0 lead.

However, American Samoa delivered a spirited second-half fight, scoring 2 goals and conceding 2 goals, and ended the match with their heads held high. 

PNG coach Susan Steven was not pleased with the girls’ performance, but expressed satisfaction with the result.

“The girls did not play according to our game plan, but I’m happy that we won the match,” coach Steven said.

“They did not follow the instructions and execute what I taught them to do, but we will work on it in training, and I believe they will do better in the next game.”

American Samoa coach Diane Justus said that though they did not win the game, she was pleased with the girls’ performance.

“The result did not go the way we expected,” coach Justus said.

“We wanted to make a good comeback, but it did not work out. Despite that, we did not give up and competed until the final whistle.” 

PNG will go head-to-head with the Cook Islands in a do-or-die clash on Friday (April 24th), with the winner qualifying for the tournament’s final scheduled in the Solomon Islands in September.