Liahona High School have been crowned the new champions of the U-19 Girls Division at the 2025 Tonga Secondary School Football Competition after a thrilling 3-1 win over Takuilau College in the final.
It was a statement performance from Liahona, who came into the match with a clear goal, to claim the title they narrowly missed last year. Mataliki midfielder, Tema Tonga, led by example, opening the scoring early and setting the tone for her team.
Liahona started the match with high intensity, and it was clear they meant business. Within the first five minutes, Tema Tonga had already fired two warning shots at the Takuilau goal. Her persistence paid off as she slotted home her third attempt in just the 5th minute to give Liahona the early 1-0 lead.
Despite the early blow, Takuilau responded with grit, tightening up their defence and preventing further damage in the first half. They went into the break trailing 1-0, but with their hopes still very much alive.
In the second half, Liahona doubled their lead when Leilani Faleafa found the back of the net, pushing the scoreline to 2-0. However, Takuilau refused to back down. Their fighting spirit was rewarded after they were awarded a penalty following a foul inside Liahona’s box. Luseane Manumu‘a stepped up confidently and converted the penalty, giving Takuilau a lifeline at 2-1.
But any hopes of a late comeback were crushed in the final minutes when Grystal Fotu unleashed a stunning strike from just outside the penalty area, sealing the win for Liahona at 3-1.
It was a moment of redemption for Liahona, who fell short in last year’s final after a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Tailulu. With this win, they not only return to the top but add another prestigious trophy to their growing cabinet.
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