AMERICAN SAMOA U-20 WOMEN’S PROFILE: ANGELA SA’O

FFAS MEDIA

The FFAS presents its second profile of its Women’s U-20 squad preparing for the Oceania Football Confederation U-20 Women’s Championship 2009 that is to be held in Auckland, New Zealand from October 5-9. On the spot: Angela Sa’o.

Angela Sa’o BIOGRAPHY

Occupation: American Samoa Community College Student

Full Name: Angela Sa’o

Date of Birth: April 17, 1990

Place of Birth: American Samoa

Height: 5’5” (1.6 meters)

Weight: 167 lbs (75 kg)

Position: Midfielder

Club: Black Roses

Soccer Years: 12

Soccer Idol: Mia Hamm (USA, retired)

Nickname: None

National Team:

2007 Samoa South Pacific Games’ American Samoa Women’s National Team member

Awards:

- 2005 ASFA Summer Youth League MVP

- 2006-2007 High School Varsity MVP (Leone HS)

PROFILE

“If we play as one, we can do very well at this tournament,” declared Angela Sa’o, projected midfield starter for American Samoa in the OFC U-20 Women’s Championship 2009. “We need to play together and communicate well with one another.”

So said one of the elder stateswomen of the team, or actually, the oldest player on the squad, about her team’s chances and what they need to do in order to perform well in New Zealand come October 5-9, 2009.

She and Fetu Lakisa are the oldest players on the squad with Sa’o older by just three days.

Sa’o has the strongest leg out of all the girls on the squad, is a smart player who has great field vision, allowing her to distribute the ball very well.

“She is a good communicator with all of the players, great ball controller and her vision allows her to be a great distributor of the ball,” describes Ruben Luvu, coach of the American Samoa women’s U-20 squad. “Another great aspect about her is not only her attacking skills, but she is also a great defender.

“I trust in her to go on the attack because she can come back and defend equally as well.”

A veteran of the Samoa 2007 South Pacific Games’ women’s national team squad, Sa’o took part in all matches American Samoa played of that competition, which amounted to four.

She grew up in the sport for the last 12 years of her life under the guidance, she explained, of her uncle Sione Ma’ae.

“He took me everyday when I was young to the (Taputimu) field to play soccer and that’s how I started learning the game and loving it,” Sa’o recalled. “I’ve been playing ever since.”

That occurred when she was seven. Now, 12 years later, her experience shines through with the way she plays and the maturity level of her game play is another huge asset.

And she knows a thing or two about winning championships, playing on championship teams at Leone High School and then winning numerous titles with her club Black Roses in women’s 11-a-side competitions and also 5-a-side contests.

She has been at the core of those winning teams, alongside current U-20 squad members Filiga and Meleane Ioapo.

Currently she is attending American Samoa Community College, majoring in Criminal Justice and hopes to one day play professional soccer.

And where do you think she wants to play? Nope, not the homeland of her idol, Mia Hamm, but the very place where the OFC U-20 competition is to be held, in New Zealand!

“I want to tryout with a pro team there because I have a lot of family members there,” she pointed out.

Just recently she participated and received a certificate for a FIFA FFAS MA Referee Follow Up Course 2009 held from August 25-29, 2009. Since its completion she has been refereeing elementary games and also trying out as an AR in the ongoing FFAS National League.

At the same time she has been juggling training with the FFAS U-20 squad and her club team, Black Roses, tops in the women’s national competition.

And she is ready to compete at the OFC Women’s U-20 Championship 2009!