Mataliki ended their OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2025 campaign in thrilling fashion, claiming a dramatic 1-0 victory over the Cook Islands thanks to a 90th-minute winner from Leila Hausia-Haugen.
After suffering a tough 5-0 defeat to Solomon Islands in their final pool match last Friday, Tonga not only missed out on a semi-final berth but finished bottom of their group. That result saw them face the Cook Islands who also finished last in their pool in the 7th place playoff. For Mataliki, the goal was clear, finish on a high, reward the team’s weeks of hard work, and claim their first win of the tournament.
And they did exactly that, in the most dramatic of ways.
The match was tightly contested from the start, with both sides determined to finish their campaigns on a positive note. Tonga began brightly, showing early urgency and pressing high. The combination of Hausia-Haugen, captain Lositika Feke, and the ever-energetic Vika Mafi on the right flank gave the Cook Islands early warning signs.
However, Cook Islands stood firm, led by captain, Hetherington who came close to breaking the deadlock midway through the first half, forcing a strong save from Tonga’s goalkeeper, Keira Wolfgramm with a powerful effort.
In the second half, both sides looked for fresh impetus. Tonga introduced Ana Pongi and Anela Makaafi to inject more energy and attacking options. The Cook Islands responded with Ngamata Moekaa, who brought urgency and pressure in the final third.
As the minutes ticked down, the match seemed destined for a goalless draw. But in the final moments, Hausia-Haugen who had been a constant threat all game seized her chance. Picking up a loose ball at the edge of the area, she rifled it into the back of the net, sparking scenes of jubilation on the Tongan bench and sealing their first win and clean sheet of the tournament.
Speaking after the match, Head Coach Kilifi Uele gave credit where it was due.
“I guess today’s victory we give all the glory to God and just want to thank not only the players but also the officials for all the hard work they’ve put in to help this team end with a win. We are very happy we got a win today but at the same time we’re already looking ahead to the future of women’s football. We still have two more international tournaments this year, and this was a great platform to develop these players.”
With two major youth tournaments ahead, the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship next month and the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship in September, Uele emphasized the importance of continued development.
“Twelve players from this squad are eligible for the U-19s, so we’ll look to fix what didn’t go right in this tournament by keeping them together longer and building stronger team chemistry. That’s something we really need to focus on, especially with both overseas and local-based players. We have time, and we’ll use it.”
“The biggest takeaway for me is the connection between overseas and local players. Throughout this tournament, we’ve been trying to mould them into one cohesive unit. That’s something I’ll keep working on to create a team with a unified mindset and goal well before a tournament starts.” Uele added.
He closed by acknowledging the support behind Mataliki.
“And lastly, I want to thank all the supporters of Mataliki, from the Tonga Football Association to the people of Tonga for your prayers and encouragement throughout the tournament. It has been a blessing and we appreciate all of it.”
Tonga leaves the OFC Women’s Nations Cup 2025 with pride restored and a victory to build on, as attention now turns to nurturing the next generation of Mataliki stars.
HT: 0-0
Cook Islands: 0
Tonga: 1 (Leila HAUSIA-HAUGEN 90′)
