World Cup qualifiers

The match between the Polynesian sister teams was a tough showdown after the ladies in red had to come from behind in the second quarter to steal the lead 32-24 since Samoa was leading 17-14 after the first quarter.

Tonga Centre- Hulita Haukinima Veve and Goal Shooter- Uneeq Palavi were the players to watch in last night’s game after assisting the team in extending their lead in the third quarter 50-36.

Samoa was also very competitive from the beginning and throughout the quarters but was enough to keep Tonga from winning the game 69-52.

The Oceania Football Confederation confirmed all matches will take place in Qatar from 14 to 30 March 2022.

The OFC qualifiers will be played in a mini-tournament format featuring eight teams, consisting of a round-robin group stage, semi-finals and the final.

Manu Samoa won the first leg 42-13 in Auckland last weekend, with the aggregate winner from the two games sealing their spot in France in 2023.

Tonga only trailed by three points at half-time and prop Ben Tameifuna said they need to sustain their performance over 80 minutes.

"There was some bloody good things that happened last week and it was just towards the end there the boys folded a little bit but this week's just being able to do what we did but for much longer."

The home side thrashed Tonga 5-0 in a friendly match in Ba last night and also play American Samoa in Nadi next week, with both teams preparing for the first round of Oceania Football World Cup qualifiers at the end of the month.

Malakai Tiwa opened the scoring in the 7th minute, with Alvin Singh and Osea Vakatalesau also finding the back of the net to give the hosts a 3-0 halftime lead.

Tiwa doubled his tally ten minutes into the second spell before Napolioni Qasevakatini made it 5-0 from the penalty spot ten minutes from full-time.