Tonga Football

Samoa impress in opening victory over Tonga

Two second-half goals in as many minutes set up Ryan Stewart’s side in a match that dominated from start to finish, giving Tonga little opportunity throughout the 90 minutes.

There was strong local support for both sides as Samoa started brightly, controlling possession deep in Tongan territory, their opponents happy to sit back and try to exploit any space on the counter.

Just under half an hour in and Tongan goalkeeper Nimilote Moala was called into action, producing a strong save to deny Greg Siamoa after the forward had been played in on the right-hand side channel.

Fiji Beach boys beat Tonga

Fiji bounced back from their loss to Solomon Islands from their opening day, thrashing Tonga by 21-3.

Fiji scored three goals in the first seven minutes through Ravneel Pal, Tevita Waranaivalu and Bruce Hughes.

Suva striker Rusiate Matarerega finished off a cross from Rajneel Singh before Waranaivalu got his brace with a terrific strike.

Hughes got his double before Gabrielle Matanisiga rounded off the first stanza scoring as Fiji led 7-0.

Fiji expects tough competition against Tonga

The Baby Bula Boys have a win so far under their name while Tonga lost 6-0 to Samoa over the weekend.

A win will take Fiji through to the quarter-finals.

The match against Fiji and Tonga will kick off at 7pm (Fiji Time) in Suva.

     

Tonga aims to register first win against Fiji at the OFC U17 Championships

The team will meeting hosts Fiji.

Tonga has yet to register a win after losing to Samoa 6-0 in their first game.

Fiji is expected to make some player rotations ahead of the match.

The two teams meet at 7pm (Fiji Time) in Suva.

Both Fiji and Samoa have three points in Pool A with a win each.

     

Tonga going for broke at OFC event

These were the words of Tonga under-17 national football coach Lui Muavesi as the side wrapped up preparations yesterday ahead of the OFC Under-17 Championship which begins today.

Muavesi, who is originally from Rakiraki, has been teaching the Tongan language in Tonga for 20 years now.

He played for Suva in the late 1980s and was also a gold medallist for Fiji in athletics. He competed in the 800 metres and 4×400 metres events.

The soft-spoken coach said preparation had been good for his team.

Fiji Women’s Football side thrash Tonga in friendly match

Fiji started out strong in the game after Vanisha Kumar scored a goal in the 22nd minute before captain Sofi Diyalowai extended their lead to 2-0.

Fiji continued to break through the Tongan defense line leading to Koleta Likuculacula’s 60th minute goal that brought the scoreline to 3-0.

Striker Cema Nasau added Fiji’s fourth 10 minutes later.

20 year old Filomena Racea drew the curtain in the 85th minute with Fiji’s fifth goal.

The teams are preparing for the OFC Women’s Nations Cup later this month.

     

Tonga out of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ OFC preliminary competition following disaster

The large volcanic eruption and tsunami which struck on January 15 has caused widespread damage across much of Tonga and impacted over 80 percent of the population. 

Many in Tonga have had their homes badly damaged or destroyed and issues with basic necessities such as safe drinking water are likely to exist for the foreseeable future.  

Tonga beach soccer referees upskill in Ha’apai

The workshop ran from September 13-17 and was conducted by FIFA Beach Soccer Referee Instructor and OFC Referee Development Officer Neil Poloso online via Zoom, with assistance from FIFA/OFC Referees Instructor and Tonga Football Association (TFA) Head of Refereeing Tevita Vea. 

OFC Head of Refereeing Kevin Stoltenkamp also offered support online throughout the course.  

The workshop was delivered in three parts, theoretical, practical and fitness, while they also reviewed the new amendments of the FIFA Beach Soccer Laws of the Game. 

Mohammad Rajani proud of Tongan heritage

Born and raised in Sydney, Rajani is born to a Tongan mother and Pakistani father.

He started his football career at a very young age with Apia Leichardt Tigers before a recent called up to represent Tonga at the OFC U-19 Championship Qualifier in the Cook Islands which saw them qualified for the OFC U-19 Championship in Tahiti.

The 20-year-old was fast-tracked into the Tongan national U-23 team an opportunity he grabs up with both hands.

“I’ve been played for the Tongan U19s last year and I’ve been selected to the U23s,” he said

Tonga to make international beach soccer debut

Tahiti made a big statement in their opening match thumping Vanuatu 8-2 yesterday in a spectacular display of aerial passing, flicks and scissor kicks.

Speaking after yesterday's match the Tiki Toa coach Naea Bennett says they are wary of Tonga, having never played them before, and aim to be at their best for the match.

"We take this game tomorrow seriously so I will need the boys to concentrate 100 percent and to play the game like we are used to," Naea Bennett said.