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Sharks vs. Dolphins in boys varsity final

The Samoana Sharks varsity squad, after their 1-0 semifinal win over Iakina on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at Pago Park Soccer Stadium. The Sharks will play in the championship game against the SPA Dolphins today.
  [FFAS MEDIA/Brian Vitolio]The South Pacific Academy Dolphins’ varsity squad, after their semifinal penalty shootout win over the Tafuna Warriors on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at the Pago Park Soccer Stadium. The Sharks will play in the championship game against the Samoana Sharks today.  
[FFAS MEDIA/Brian Vitolio]A Tafuna Warriors’ player heads the ball away from SPA’s Peter Reid during their ASHSAA Boys semifinal game this past Tuesday at Pago Park Soccer Stadium.  [FFAS MEDIA/Brian Vitolio]Tafuna Warriors’ Willie Malele heads away a dangerous, SPA Dolphins’ corner kick, during their ASHSAA Boys semifinal game earlier this week at Pago Park Soccer Stadium.
  [FFAS MEDIA/Brian Vitolio]Samoana Sharks’ varsity player Gabriel Taumua dribbles away from a Iakina player during their ASHSAA Boys semifinal game on Tuesday at Pago Park Soccer Stadium.  
[FFAS MEDIA/Brian Vitolio]Ueli Tualaulelei, left, tries to control the ball while being defended by Iakina’s Kato Lasalo during their ASHSAA Boys semifinal game on Tuesday at Pago Park Soccer Stadium.
  [FFAS MEDIA/Brian Vitolio]

A repeat of last year’s ASHSAA boys varsity soccer final will take place today when No. 1 Samoana Sharks takes on No. 3 South Pacific Academy Dolphins to determine this school year’s champions.

In last year’s final, SPA fought back from a 2-1 deficit against Samoana to clinch the championship title with a 3-2 win.

Samoana advanced to this year’s title game after beating No. 4 Iakina 1-0 in the semifinal this past Tuesday, in addition to winning 1-0 against the Kanana Fou Stallions in the quarterfinals last Saturday.

SPA, the No. 3 seed, upset No. 2 Tafuna Warriors in a penalty shootout after regulation, and the extra period, ended in a 2-2 tie. The Dolphins won the shootout 3-1. In the quarterfinals, SPA won 3-2 against the Faga’itua Vikings in a comeback win on Saturday, April 29.

The two finalists met on April 1 with Samoana beating SPA 3-1.

The Sharks have been the best team during the season, but have struggled in the playoffs despite dominating possession and territory during their games. They have a host of players with international experience to rely on in terms of players, and their coach.

Coaching Samoana is the 2011 American Samoa Men’s National Team skipper, Liatama Amisone Jr. His players include former U-17 internationals Ueli Tualaulelei, Gabriel Taumua, Joseph Choi Jr., Bethal ‘Pesa’ Taugavau, Elliot Lelei, Roy Ledoux and Eteva Mauga.

Littered in their team are also National League players for local clubs, Toa Amisone, Viliame Drodolagi, Kevin Ting, Kaisa Maiava and Malu Faavae.

As for the Dolphins, their winning coach from last year, Julius Lauvao, still heads the team. He does not have a lot of National League or international experienced players, and has to deal with the loss of last year’s season MVP, Eduardo Nunez, one of the best midfielders in the competition who is out with a knee injury.

He does have Harvey Manu, who gained international experience on the club level after playing for Utulei Youth this year at the OFC Champions League 2017 preliminary in Tonga. He also has a top quality goalie in Cody McMoore, who along with Pita Lui play in the men’s FFAS National League.