12/21/24
November 24, 2011
American Samoa Gets First-Ever Soccer Win: After 30 straight defeats that stretched over nearly two decades, the American protectorate of Samoa has won its first international soccer match ever -- a 2-1 victory over Tonga. "Maybe we have a chance to do something special here beyond this one game, but let's enjoy this one right now," said coach Thomas Rongen, a former top man at D.C United. American Samoa will no longer have a FIFA ranking of dead last with Andorra, Montserrat, Samoa and San Marino.
Having once been offered the national coaching job in Tonga, I am dismayed by this result.
Having spent a lovely week in Pago Pago in 2009, I am pleased by this result.
posted by owlhouse at 11:49 PM on November 24, 2011
And an even better angle (or angles) on the story.
posted by owlhouse at 10:38 PM on November 25, 2011
Nice! And followed up with a draw! One more result and I think they're through to the next round.
posted by billsaysthis at 12:45 PM on November 26, 2011
Bad news: Samoa got a late goal to win, 1-0, and advance to the second round. When all you get is Spain, Portugal and England ad nauseum, it's nice to read about the little guys.
posted by jjzucal at 09:13 AM on November 27, 2011
Bandwagon jumper:
I have also coached a women's premier league team in Samoa. Seems that I can't lose, unless the Cook Islands win (which they didn't).
posted by owlhouse at 09:03 PM on November 27, 2011
This result is awesome. I've a fondness for all the lower FIFA ranked teams so to see this is awesome. (I've managed several of them in Football Manager too. Brutal.)