The Tonga head coach for the Tonga National Women’s U 19 team, Kalisitiane Koaneti, announced his team to prolong their preparation for the up-coming OFC Wome’s U 19 championship which is scheduled to kick off on the 11 to 24 July 2017 in Auckland, New Zealand.
The squad has been in training since February and today he called his final squad for a one month camping at the Academy before depart for Auckland. He is so looking forward for this camping as he wanted his players to know and understand the purpose of selecting them.
Koaneti says, ‘’My first priority is to get the girls to understand the TEAM MODEL.’’ (i.e. collective organization of how I want them to play).
‘’I have same goal as other coaches, is to win the tournament but the fact that most of the participating countries are technically superior to us in terms of ball skills, experience etc. I would also settle for my girls’ best given that they will conduct themselves especially on the field in accordance to what is expected of them.’’ (i.e. TEAM MODEL).
He also considered three players who are currently playing in New Zealand, and they will meet the team in Auckland.
Koaneti says, ‘’The inclusion of overseas-based players is vital to the campaign in the sense that they have more experience, game time and exposure. This will boost the team’s morale and confidence as most of the local players haven’t experience the magnitude of such event.’’
‘’At the moment what the girls needed most is moral support. Using the Media to publicize our campaign will surely help do just that, ‘’ he added.
‘’Last but not the least, there are so many things to grasp in very little time. In order for things to go smoothly there’s a need for all concern stakeholders to work collaboratively in supporting the campaign,’’ highlighted Koaneti.
Koaneti is a full time teacher at Tonga College, and he also in-charged of the TFA Futsal match officials. Coaching is not new to Koaneti, as in 2016 he was the head coach for the Tonga National Women’s U 17 to Cook Islands for the OFC Women’s U 17 qualification. Koaneti is also undertaking OFC B Licensed course for coaches and will complete at the end of the year.
The team management is leading by Suliasi Vivili, a member of the Tonga Football Association’s Executive Board.
Vivili planned to take the team to Auckland in a week before the tournament to play a friendly match with one of the best team in Auckland.
The team is as follow:
Names: Football Club:
- Meleseini Tufui Veitongo FC
- Heilala Moala Lotohaápai FC
- Manusiu Latavao Marist FC
- Kalolaine Taliaúli Fasi Moe Afi FC
- Lina Taliaúli “
- Seini Lutu Veitongo FC
- Mele Kafa Talafoóu FC
- Siunipa Talasinga Kalapu VEitongo
- Hala’unga Taholo Toa Girls FC
- Mele Ákolo Talafoóu FC
- Lositika Feke Toa Girls FC
- Florence Hakalo Kolisi Kuini Salote
- Fusipala Vivili Kolomotuá
- Heleni Tahituá Veitongo FC
- Patricia Likiliki Tonga High School
- Alexandria Fifita Fasi Moe Afi FC
- Carmel Uhila New Zealand
- Mitchelle Tuítupou New Zealand
- Malia Fabian Tongia New Zealand.
