PAGO PAGO, American Samoa – American Samoa's national soccer team has been nominated for the FIFA Fair Play Award after breaking a 30-game losing streak last month.
The Oceania Football Confederation nominated the team in a letter to FIFA dated Nov. 30, one week after the team won for the first time in 17 years in international play with a 2-1 victory over Tonga.
The nominating letter from OFC General Secretary Tai Nicholas noted the team was called the worst in the world.
But Nicholas says team played each match to the best of its ability, respected its opponents at all times, and never gave up. He says the team's attitude illustrates all that's good about the game.
The Fair Play Award honors good sporting behavior. The first award was given in 1987.
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