Tupapa Maraerenga progress to second stage

Tupapa-Maraerenga premier men’s soccer team progressed to the second stage of the Oceania Preliminary Club Premier competition in Tonga after dispatching American Samoa’s champion club Pago Youth by nine goals to nil.

The team went into their match on Friday evening knowing a hefty win would assist with their progress to the second stage.

Tupapa-Maraerenga dominated all facets of the game. Leo Berlim did most of the damage scoring four goals in their massive win while mid fielder Roger Manuel (2), Twin Tiro, Hone Fowler and Grover Harmon also got on the score sheet.

Prior to the match Tupapa-Maraerenga and Lotoha’apai of Tonga were tied on points and a win for both teams would result in the tournament being decided on goal difference. That’s exactly how it panned out. Lotoha’apai of Tonga managed a small victory over Kiwi of Samoa with a score-line of two goals to one.

Tony Jamieson said, “We stuck to the game plan which was to see what Pago Youth will throw at us and push forward at every opportunity and get numbers in front of goal and it paid off.”

“The boys have done everything that they possibly can.”

Coach Jamieson and Club President John Paul Wilson commented, “Regardless of what the outcome of their match today the team has exceeded their expectations.”

Tupapa-Maraerenga will now play the highly ranked Mont-Dore today at 4pm for a spot in the Premier Oceania 2013 O-League competition.