10 Jul 2012

Sport: American Samoa football coach recognised at champs

10:55 am on 10 July 2012

American Samoa's Pooch Taase was named Coach of the Tournament by the International Federation of American Football at the recent Under 19 World Championships.

The first-time entrants became the first team to score a touchdown in four U-19 tournament games against the United States in a first round 27-6 loss, then bounced back to defeat Panama 51-0 and France 27-14 to finish fifth overall.

Taase admits to being a bit surprised, saying he had assumed the coach of gold medal winning Canada would take the honour.

Running back Ietitaia Manu and defensive linesman Justus Fa'a'iu were also selected in the All-Tournament team.