"This is a family, we have got to get together, hold our sisters accountable and push each other, she says. The Mana'o family hold the record for most family members to participate in Fifa events."
"On the stroke of half-time, 18-year-old Cassidy Drago struck her name into American Samoan folklore by scoring the nation's first goal in Women's World Cup qualifying."
"Us going to the second round surprised everyone, Mana'o recalls with a knowing grin."
American Samoa's women's football team, ranked 153rd globally, has made history by qualifying for the World Cup despite their low expectations. The team, deeply rooted in family values, features multiple sets of sisters, emphasizing unity and accountability. Captain Alma Mana'o highlights their cultural focus on family. The team achieved a historic 3-0 victory against Tonga, with Cassidy Drago scoring the nation's first goal in Women's World Cup qualifying. They continued to surprise by defeating the Cook Islands, advancing to the second round of qualifiers against higher-ranked teams.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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