The Heilala Manongi Cup with TOP 5,000.00 cash goes to Tongatapu Vahe Loto after winning 5 – 4 in their neck-and-neck match against Tongatapu Vahe Hahake.
In the first half, Lupe Vaea opened scoring early for Tongatapu Vahe Hahake when she followed up a clearance from the Tongatapu Vahe Loto backline and fired the ball past an off-guard Mele Talasinga in the 13rd minute, and the Tongatapu Vahe Hahake physical game kept the Tongatapu Vahe Loto away from goal for the remainder of the first half.
In the last half, Tongatapu Vahe Loto youngest striker Malia Moeaki fired back with an equaliser in the 36rd minute after impressive build-up play between her and her teammates. However, both teams hold up the game til the final whistle with the scored tied 1 – 1, and the regulations says, go straight in to penalty shoot out.
Tongatapu Vahe Loto was so sure the game was theirs as they netted all their 5 shots, whilst Tongatapu Vahe Hahake missed one of their shot.
Tongatapu Vahe Loto coach ‘Emelita Moeaki was overwhelmed by the huge milestone reached by her young side becoming the Champion of the Heilala Manongi Cup through-out Tonga.
“It’s beautiful because it goes well beyond what I could have imagined,” she said.
“I was a bit worried that the stress would affect them because it is not easy knowing that this is not a club championship but it’s a regional tournament, but my girls played with strong spirit and it gave us confidence.”
Tongatapu Vahe Hahake coach Losevati Muavesi still felt proud of the effort given by her young team throughout the competition.
“I’m disappointed in the result. We expected the win today but unfortunately things turned out different. I believe the girls did all they could do but they were exhausted,” she said.
“I think they did extremely well in their previous games, especially against Tongatapu Vahe Kolo and Lolomana’ia. Today they did not perform as I expected, not the same as they did against Lolomana’ia a few days ago, but in football, anything can happen,” Muavesi says.
The 3rd place claimed by Lolomana’ia whilst Tu’I Ha’apai claimed the fourth place. In their match, we saw both teams fight neck-and-neck in the middle of the field, taking turns at pressuring their opponent’s goal but failing to break the backlines.
Lolomana’ia coach Tapukitea Fakasi’eiki felt very lucky to walk away with the win against a very talented and passionate Tu’I Ha’apai side.
“It was a really difficult encounter which we knew it was going to be.” “We’re very pleased that they (Tu’I Ha’apai) showed so much character and fight to actually see it through. It’s very difficult out here in these sorts of conditions and heavy rain and very pleased that they’ve actually got the job done.”
“It was really amazing. The girls really went up to the challenge. It’s a bit disappointing that they scored in the additional time, then the penalty shoot saved us otherwise, Tu’I Ha’apai will be 3rd. We love our goal keeper, she is the best”.
“I have been really impressed by the girls and their mentality towards the tournament. Our one purpose was to be competitive and we’ve all seen how competitive our girls have been throughout the whole tournament.”
The individual prizes:
The Golden Gloves has taken by Manukailopa Mailangi of the Lolomana’ia team from Vava’u. The Golden Boot was also taken by Tama’a Faletau of the Lolomana’ia team and the Golden Ball stays here in Tongatapu Vahe Loto with Melaia Polovili.
End!
