AFC CAF CONMEBOL CONCACAF UEFA OFC

SOUTH AMERICA-CONMEBOL NEWS

April 11, 2003 Samoa nips by Cook Islands 2003 OFC World Cup qualifying tournament Cook Islands 0 Samoa 1 Belconnen Soccer Centre, Canberra, Australia Friday April 11, 2003 Fine, gusty, 16°C Attendance: Approximately, 250   Scoring Samoa Lynetta Laumea 78 Cook Islands   Viking, Sharlina (GK), Purea,Maggie Matakino, Julina (Maine, Daniel 84'), Piri, Mii Rakei, Melanie Patia, Tupou (Urirau, Isabel 78'), Mamanu,Moeroa Raina, Anna (Koronui, Ngarangievaru 63'), Westrupp, Julieanne (capt), Mare, Oakirangi Jim Moeara, Tereapii Charlene   Substitutes not used Willis, Frances Boaza, Marjorie Apera, Rangitauratua Matapo, Marion Ngaoire, Miriama   _____________________________________   Samoa Feagaiga, Tina (GK), Bruce, Henifa Folau, Ruby Hellesoe-Taualapini, Hilda (capt) Laumea, Lynetta Semeatu, Lemana, Peresia, Selesitiina (Tuiletufuga, Talele 89') Seiuli, Tanya (Warren, Carisa 86') Talai, Leti Vaigalu, Tufa (Tagomoa, Luisa 75') Williams, Marylynn   Substitutes not used: Solomona, Rosa Sooialo, Diana Tafafa, Toese Tofilau,Ulufafo Mamea,Alofaoo Young, Emily     Match Officials Referee - Salaiau Sosongan (PNG), Asst. Refs. - Joash Indu (SOL), Jacqueline Leleu (AUS), Fourth Official - Rajendra Singh (FIJ)   Game report  By Jeremy Ruane   The other game on the fourth day of the Oceania qualifying series was a good old-fashioned Polynesian arm wrestle between to teams who had yet to score a point at the tournament. The Cook Islands and Samoa turned on an entertaining spectacle, which, though a little naive compared to their more illustrious Australian and New Zealand counterparts, nonetheless had its moments of excitement.   The decisive moment in the match came twelve minutes from time, when Cook Islands goalkeeper Sharlina Viking misjudged a speculative twenty-five yard effort from Samoa's Lynette Laumea, and looked on in horror as the ball bounced into the corner of the net for the visitors' first-ever goal in international women's soccer.   Samoa's 1-0 victory - their first-ever triumph - could have been more comfortable, but Marylynn Williams showed all present how not to take a penalty five minutes from time, after Cooks' defender Mii Piri had handled the ball in the penalty area.