A lot of interesting articles coming from Samoa. The National team is in Canberra to take part in the OFC Qualifiers for Chinese Taipei 2004.

Samoa played some friendly matches as training for the Qualifying round starting tomorrow in the AIS Arena (Canberra, Australia).

Post Cards from Canberra


Successful Start for Manumea.

Manumea Samoa Futsal last night completed its first 24 hours in Canberra with another successful outing in the second of its two practice games so far.

In a bitterly cold Canberra and with 2 wins under their belts, there is a positive feel amongst the players and management.

National Coach David Brand was first to praise the players who he feels have made a very pleasing start to their week of preparations.

“Two wins in anybody's language is very positive, but the week will get gradually tougher as we build up to Sunday's opening game against Fiji at the magnificent AIS Arena. Considering our lack of experience and game awareness in the sport, I have to be pleased with the two wins so far, but we still have years of development to go before we can compete successfully on the World Stage," said Brand from the teams headquarters in Canberra today.

“We are all remaining confident that we can improve on the previous performances and our short term goal is to do just this. Anything beyond this is a major bonus but one, we will all be striving for over the coming 10 days."

Manumea had a late morning training session today, which is followed by another practice game in the evening.

Soccer Samoa Media will be on hand to bring you all the news from Canberra first!!!!!!


National Coach David Brand is available for further comment on 685 26504. Or on email davidbrand2003@yahoo.com.au or dbrand@lesamoa.net




Manumea Futsal records a fine win to complete its World Cup preparation games.

Manumea Samoa Futsal last night recorded a fine win against an ACT U19 Academy side by 6 goals to 2 to complete it World Cup preparation in Canberra. In freezing conditions the team produced a more disciplined and composed performance to bounce back from the narrow defeat the previous evening.

Manumea opened the scoring early but the game remained tight and a defensive error allowed ACT to equalise. Playing in white Manumea gradually took a strangle hold on the game and went into the break with a 5-2 lead much to the pleasure of the whole bench.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with the ACT side providing strong opposition but missed chances kept the score until Junior Michael finished off a good move with a crisp left foot shoot.

At this point David Brand went to the bench to give every player an opportunity and they did not let him down. Despite not adding to the score the team remained tight defensively limiting the ACT to long range efforts which generally did not trouble Samoan keeper Stefanu Pesa.

6 - 2 to Manumea and a pleasing finish to the preparation prior to Sundays opening matches.

National Coach David was far happier this evening as the whole of the squad performed far better defensively which is the foundation to achieving a positive result. Nevertheless he is most definitely not getting carried away and is very realistic about the team’s prospects and the difficult challenges ahead.

“Today’s performance was refreshing as we finally started to play to instruction. The past few weeks have been a huge learning curve and we improve each day in one area or another,” he said. “Now it is down to the nitty gritty of World Cup football and it is a whole new ball game. However I was pleased with our overall performance today, as we defended with more discipline and composure and were more patient when in possession, which enabled us to control the tempo of the game which is more to our liking.”

“The opposing team played well and the game was again most useful and we must thank them for the opportunity. Everybody is now looking forward to Fiji tomorrow and hoping we can back up with another good performance irrespective of the result.”

Dennis Bryce has been the player to be left out of the final squad which was a difficult decision but one that had to be made, as Manumea travelled with 13 players to cover for possible injury and or sickness. He will remain with the squad for the remainder of the tournament.

“Any player left out has to be unlucky but this is part of the job as a coach although one in the end is always a sad task as you know how the player is feeling. I have personally been on the receiving end of similar decisions during my playing days and I feel for Dennis. He is a terrific young man and will bounce back despite the set back,” commented Brand following the announcement to the team.

Manumea will have a light training session at the AIS Arena this afternoon followed by another one tomorrow before their 6.30pm kick off local time.

Once again Soccer Samoa Media will be on hand to bring you all the news from Canberra first!!!!!!



Manumea Futsal suffers first defeat against ACT Rep. Team.

Manumea Samoa Futsal last night suffered its first defeat against a vastly more experienced ACT Rep Team by 9 goals to 8.

The ACT fielded 4 players with Australian International experience at a World Cup final level and many of them would have played more than 100 times more games of futsal than the whole Manumea side put together.

National Coach David Brand restored the senior players in Junior Michael, Pualele Lamana and Filipo Bureta to the starting line and early in the game Manumea had the majority of possession without taking advantage and converting some early chances. The experienced Australians continued to play smart and just waited for holes to appear in the Manumea defence and did not waste the opportunity to punish the Samoans. Manumea kept plugging away with 10 times as many shots but many were from long range which was easy meat for the ACT keepers. Then when the target was hit the keepers often pulled off some tremendous saves.

Much to the frustration of the coaching staff basic errors crept into the Manumea play and by half time they were 6 – 1 down, with a solitary goal from Dennis Bryce all that the visitors could muster. Once again Brand and Epa had to reorganise with the view to consolidate and try to creep back into the game. 2 early ACT goals put the Samoans on the back foot but following a major tactical change and player substitution Manumea began to hit back. Chances went begging whilst good saves denied Manumea what looked like certain goals.

As the older ACT players tired the extra fitness of Manumea enabled them to take a grip on proceedings. One by one the margin was reduced as Manumea edged closer to a remarkable come back. Tofi Tumua had a clear cut opportunity to tie the match in the final minute but again a fine save from the ACT keeper denied a late equaliser and the game ended in a narrow loss after a fighting second half.

Whilst disappointed to lose National Coach David Brand was philosophical and pointed to the experience of the ACT side that played some fine Futsal as against the honest naivety of Manumea.

“To be honest I knew this would be a tough encounter. It has been planned this way. This game hopefully woke up a few players including some of the senior personnel. We played a quality team with a huge amount of experience at Futsal and at times we performed with credit. However we must eliminate the errors which on most occasions are very basic and learn from our mistakes and be so naïve in our play.”

“Some of the boys looked shell shocked at half time but we reorganised and I was very happy with the 2nd half effort which nearly produced a remarkable turnaround. The younger brigade came on and played well and nearly snatched a victory when all looked lost early in the second half. It is now very important that we focus at all times, as against quality teams we will be severely punished for the slightest of errors,” he discussed at the teams hotel earlier today.

At the end of a busy week it is pleasing to report of little or no injury worries and now the coaching staff has the unenviable task of leaving out a player from the 13 man party. Whoever that will be the decision will be made tomorrow and they will stay on and remain part of the team for the duration of the tournament.

Manumea Futsal play the last of their practice games this evening against another local side, before the opening game of the World Cup qualifiers on Sunday against Fiji at 6.30pm local time at the AIS Arena.

Once again Soccer Samoa Media will be on hand to bring you all the news from Canberra first!!!!!!



Manumea Futsal continues its promising preparation.

Manumea Samoa Futsal last night continued its preparation with another victory over a local side that surprisingly included two local boys with Samoan heritage.

Once again the bitterly cold Canberra climate made life difficult for the Manumea team who struggled to come to terms with both the cold and the lively start from the local boys. Sloppy play and defensive errors plagued Manumea in the first half, who started with a complete new starting 5 from previous games. Coach David Brand rested the experience of Pualele Lamana, Junior Michael and Filipo Bureta, whilst Afasene Tusitala was rested due to a sore toe.

The first half was littered with basic errors and a frustrated coaching staff could be seen to be scratching there heads in frustration. 8 apiece at half time, which could not come soon enough for Manumea, but whatever was said in the locker room did the trick, with 8 Manumea goals hitting the back of the Canberra net for a reply of only 2, for a 16 to 10 victory.

National Coach David Brand although happy with the win could not hide his frustration as to the teams lack lustre first half.

“We are naturally happy with the win but overall we have to be honest and say the performance was below par,” he said at the South side Complex post game. “We have a lot of work to do before Sunday if we are to be competitive against Fiji. The second half was a huge improvement but against the best sides in the tournament we cannot afford to give away such poor goals due to basic errors, otherwise we will be severely punished.”

“I am hoping it was just one of those days but again we have learnt much tonight about certain players and what we can and cannot do. The game on Thursday will certainly be a test and one that I am looking forward to.”

Manumea take on this evening a strong Canberra based group of ex Australian Internationals in what will be their toughest task so far and according to Brand the game is just ‘what the doctor ordered.’

“I will be looking at a much improved performance all round with the senior players coming back in and leading by example. This game will be just like an international in standard and will provide the ideal environment as we build to the tournament kick off on Sunday against Fiji.”

Once again Soccer Samoa Media will be on hand to bring you all the news from Canberra first!!!!!!