An 18 Men squad has landed in Aotearoa on a mission to qualify for the next Summer Olympics hosted in Paris France next year. The team is coached by Ma’ake ‘Uhatahi who was the assistant coach for the Mataliki in the OFC Women’s Nations Cup which was held last year in Suva, Fiji.
The team features familiar names in the Tonga National level competition including two players, Nikolasi Vea and ‘Opesi Tu’ifangaloka who was part of the team that competed in the last OFC Olympic Qualifier competition hosted by Fiji in 2019. One of the players, Sione ‘Aho was a member of the Tonga National Men’s Futsal Team last year while rest of the team has previous records participating in National Under 17 and 19s teams.
The team will link up in New Zealand with four players in the squad who are based in New Zealand which are David Tu’amoheloa, Topuluka Tu’amoheloa, Pau Likiliki and William Senituli. Two players in the squad were picked from Vava’u Football which are Ta’u Tupou and Viliami ‘Ahofono.
Tonga is placed in Pool B together with Polynesian rival, Samoa along with Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. The tournament will take place across three venues in Auckland, The Trusts Arena, Go Media Stadium Mt Smart and North Harbour Stadium. All pool matches for Tonga will be hosted in The Trusts Arena in Henderson, Auckland with first match will be against Samoa on Monday 28th, second match against Vanuatu on Thursday the 31st and last pool match will be against the Solomon Islands on Sunday the 3rd of September which is all next week.
Tonga participated in the last OFC Olympic Qualifier in 2019 playing against Fiji, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea in the pool matches where they lost all games. New Zealand were the Oceania region representative at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics after winning the final against Solomon Islands 5-0, with Fiji competing in the previous games in Rio de Janeiro 2016.
2023 OFC Olympic Qualifiers opening match is between Fiji and American Samoa which will take place on August 27 at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart in Auckland.
Tonga Under 23 National Team:
Nimilote Moala Folaha FC
Kulisitofa Kite Lavengatonga FC
Heneli Fakavai Navutoka FC
Nicolas Vea Navutoka FC
‘Utu’one Lea’aetoa Veitongo FC
‘Opesi Tu’ifangaloka Veitongo FC
Tevita Koloa Veitongo FC
Lisiate Feke Longolongo FC
Michael Fotu Nukuhetulu FC
David Tu’amoheloa New Zealand
Tau’aika Sonasi Folaha FC
‘Unaloto ‘Aho Nukuhetulu FC
Ta’u Tupou Vava’u
Sione ‘Aho Nukuhetulu FC
Nuku ’Esau Navutoka FC
Topuluka Tu’amoheloa New Zealand
Sione Veamatahau Navutoka FC
Pau Likiliki New Zealand
Sosefo Tolu Folaha FC
Viliami ‘Ahofono Vava’u
William Senituli New Zealand
Sitiveni ‘Aho Navutoka FC
Officials:
Motekiai Faupula Goal Keeper
Penateti Feke Team Administrator
Soane Mailangi Assistant Coach
Stephen Palavi Team Manager
Sosaia Tulikihakau Kit Manager
Kilifi Uele Technical Advisor
Mark ‘Uhatahi Head Coach
End.
