Marist ran in five goals in the second half to mark an outright lead in the challenging tournament that only features the top four teams of Tonga Football Association’s Major League Premier Division.
Marist’s fierce attacks were directed by the brilliant running and passing skills of their talented midfielders, which sent Sione Tovo in to score early in the opening minutes.
Popua came back strongly but failed to ignite against a very solid defence that kept them scoreless in the first spell.
Winger Siosifa Moimoi netted the second goal for Marist in the 59th minute and that strike was followed by another brilliant shot by Pita Savieti two minutes later.
‘Ateneo Fe’ao moved up front and hit home a double in the 64th and the 70th minutes to stretch the lead to 5-0, before Sione Teu rounded off the scoring with a long range shot 15 minutes from time.
Popua finally registered their name on the scoreboard in the last 10 minutes after a dazzling effort by Sione Filiai.
In the competition’s other match Lotoha’apai United survived a scare before recording a hard fought 2-1 victory over Ha’amoko United Youth in a very tight contest.
Ha’amoko took first blood just nine minutes from kick-off, thanks to a brilliant header by forward Kaloo Tauasi.
That gave the 2012 Major League finalists a bit of breathing space while they continued trying to spoil their opponents’ work but Lotoha’apai survived and managed to step up against the challenge.
Parity was restored in the 44th minute when 15-year-old striker Hemaloto Polovili finished off a one-two combination with veteran midfielder Kilifi Uele to make it 1-1 at half-time.
Both teams canceled out each other in most of the second half until the 88th minute when winger Samisoni Mafi found the net again for Lotoha’apai to celebrate another victory.
Uele saw the result as a stroke of good fortune.
“We started a bit rustily but luckily we managed to fight back and get the result we wanted,” Uele said.
“It was a hard fought win but it gives us a clear image of what we need to work on for our next game.”
For more on Tonga football go to www.tongafootball.to

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