APIA, Samoa (AP):  Ramin Ott and Shalom Luani scored as American Samoa beat Tonga 2-1 on Wednesday to open the first stage of Oceania qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.

Ott put American Samoa ahead with a speculative long-range shot in the 43rd minute and Luani sealed the win when he lobbed over Tonga goalkeeper Kaneti Falela in the 74th.

Tonga pulled a goal back three minutes before fulltime when Unaloto Faeo headed home a cross from Lafaele Moala.

Samoa was due to play Cook Islands later Wednesday.

Only one of the four teams contesting the first round will progress to the next stage in Oceania qualifying, which involves seven other teams – including 2010 World Cup qualifier New Zealand – playing a tournament at Fiji next June which doubles as the 2012 OFC Nations Cup.

The top four teams from the OFC Nations Cup will advance to the third and final round of Oceania qualifying for Brazil 2014.

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