Tonga eyeing to spot top place in the OFC Futsal Nations Cup 2023

Sione Tu’ifangaloka will lead Tonga National Futsal Men’s Team 2023

A 14 Men Squad has settled in Auckland, New Zealand ready to compete in their second OFC Futsal Nations Cup which is set to kick-off this coming Sunday the 1^st of October in the Pullman Arena in Takanini.

Head Coach, Manu Tu’alau has put up a squad of experienced Futsal players along with young Futsal stars in months of preparation and is confident that the team will contest for top spots in this year’s competition.

“We have prepared for months and selection was tough at first place but closing in to the competition the players has improved and they have all earned their spot in the team. There are a lot of very young players in the squad but in the long run we will benefit from this idea though these young players has already shown that they can compete in the top level Futsal Competition in Tonga.”

“We have selected current Tonga National Futsal player, Sione Tu’ifangaloka to lead the team here in New Zealand and with his experience in National Level Football/Futsal with the assistance of some of the current National Futsal players’, I believe that they will compete with top teams in this year’s Tournament.” Manu Tu’alau to TFA Webiste.

The team has had their first touch in the Pullman Arena in Takanini this morning in their first training in New Zealand where the competition will take place in two days.

The ongoing training and preparation is getting more intense closing in to Tonga’s first game against Fiji on Sunday. Tonga has got a chance to play a friendly game against Samoa on Friday 29^th of September which will be hosted in the Barfoot & Thompson Stadium and that will be a bonus for the team’s preparation.

Tonga is placed on a very tough pool together with current OFC Futsal Nations Cup Champion, New Zealand along with Fiji and Vanuatu. First game will be up against Fiji on Sunday, Vanuatu on Monday the 2^nd of October and last game will be against New Zealand on Wednesday 4^th of  Ocotber.

Tonga team is staying at the Oakwood Motel in Mangere.

Tonga’s 14 Men Squad

1. Semisi ‘Otukolo
2. Vai Lutu
3. Kulisi Kefu
4. ‘Unaloto ‘Aho
5. Pita ‘Uhatahi
6. Sione Tu’ifangaloka
7. Timote Fakasi’i’eiki
8. Maloni Manuolevao
9. ‘Atieli ‘Aho
10. Hemaloto Polovili
11. Tevita Falepapalangi
12. Sitaleki Fisi
13. ‘Uhila Tautua’a
14. Viliami Falevai

Coach: Manula’aina Tu’alau

Assistant Coach: Sione Teu

End.