The Samoan cricket team are con­fident of qualifying for the 2018 Asian Cup competition on Sep­tember 15-28 in United Arabs Emirates.

Their campaign starts today at Albert Park, Suva as they try to secure one of the top two spots for the 2018 ICC World Twenty20 East Asia Pacific Sub Region­al Qualifier.

Samoan cricket manager Dean Seuoti said they would be coming in as under­dogs during the competition

“We’re very excited and happy and looking forward to the first match,” Seuoti said.

“The players will be giving their full effort and will try to get the team quali­fy to the next tournament.

“We’ve been preparing for the last three months and we got some guys from New Zealand and Australia.”

Seuoti added that they would be focus­ing a lot on team bond during the whole competition

“Vanuatu, Fiji and PNG have been playing very well for the last three years.

“We will be coming in as underdogs during the competition. We’ve got a very good and strong group of players that can win the tournament.

“What we need to do in this competi­tion is try and get into the number one or number two stands in order to qual­ify.”

LINE-UP

Samoa: Maletino Lane Matava, Uala Taitoe Sililauga Kaisala, Faafe­taialealofa Vaaetasi, Andrew Michael, Naamanu Vaasili, Dominic Michael, Fa’afetai Mailata (captain), Sitansilao Toutai, Sean Solia, Daniel Bugess, Uili Sofi, Fred Sapatu, Lester Evile, Pasi Ka­losi. Reserves: Solofuti Falo, Tuumaga Ali

PNG: Assadolliah Vala (captain), Charles Amini, Lega Siaka, Jason Kila, Tony Ura, Sese Bau, Kipling Doriga, John Reva, Nosiana Pokana, Simon Atai, Damien Ravu, Chad Soper, Nor­man Vanua, Steven Eno. Reserves: An­thony Vare, Dogodo Bau, Simon Atai, Riley Hekure

WHAT’S ON TODAY

9.30am Fiji v Vanuatu (g1), PNG v Sa­moa (g2); 1.30pm Fiji v PNG (g1) Vanua­tu v Samoa (g2)

– Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

Feedback: nikolau.ravai@fijisun.com.fj