History was made at the JS Blatter grounds where the Samoa Football Women’s team won their last group match against New Caledonia with a 3 – 2 final score.
Samoa head coach Nicola Demaine was pleased with the team’s performance.
“Obviously we are pleased with the results, to have your team come back from 2 points and walk away with 3 points, you can’t ask for anything else from your players.
“They all went out there and gave their hundred per cent and it was enough from the day to get us through to the Gold medal match.”
The Samoa Women’s team have played 3 historical matches where they won against Fiji with 1 – 0, Tonga 5 – 0 and a draw against American Samoa.
“I can say we are making history and every girl whose watched today should go out there and pick up a football ball and be one of the team in 15 years’ time, it’s the best game in the world and it’s the easiest game to organize;
“Samoa could be massive in the Pacific region if we can work in the right way after the success of this women’s team,” Demaine added.
The last group match game determined Samoa’s place to play in the gold, silver and bronze matches for the XVI Pacific Games.
With team Samoa leading Group A, they now have a chance to play against the mighty Papua New Guinea team for the Gold and Silver matches
“PNG are pretty fast pretty physical and I know they will be organized, I know the coaches personally work with them in the past, and I know what to expect to a degree but we’ll handle it.
“We will come up with a game plan to make sure we put in our best to get gold. We know what to expect from Papua New Guinea for sure. Definitely physical, have to be fast, organized and we will be ready,” says Demaine.
New Zealand does not participate in the Pacific games, so teama have a better chance at a medal in their absence.
“The pacific games is a great event, because New Zealand don’t come and everybody comes thinking they can win a gold medal so it’s a massive difference, people prepare, the Olympic committee are involved and it’s a great sceptical for women’s football.”
Coach Nicola Demaine has been involved with the Samoa National Women’s team since 2018 and worked for FFS women’s football while working as the Head of Oceania Football Committee Women’s Football department.
“Women’s football has always been a challenge; when we start having success; hopefully people start to put in some money for the sports people are wanting to play and have to put their hands up and hopefully the federation can deliver the opportunity for those young women’s and girls to play, so we have a chance by the nation, and I think gold or silver this girls will going to do that, she added.”
Match Schedule
Saturday 20th July 2019 – JS Blatter, Tuanaimato Complex
First Match kicks off at 9:00am Gold, Silver and Bronze medal matches
