TONGA – CLUB FOOTBALL SEASON REACHES BUSINESS END

Even the inclement weather couldn’t dampen the spirit of football at the Soccer center in ‘Atele, as Round 9 of Tonga major league took place on Saturday.

Premier Division

After toppling Lotohaapai FC as premier division leaders in draw 8, Marist FC received their first disappointment of the season, going down 1-3 to Ngeleia FC who had dropped dramatically to the bottom of their division table recently.

Ngeleia’s thrashing of Marist came in a spectacular match in front of a few club faithful who defied chilly conditions to support their teams. Sione Tovo’s blistering shot at goal, 6 minutes into the game, gave Ngeleia an early boost of confidence and some control of the game. Despite having a messy first half, Marist midfielder Neo Fe’ao puts his team back into the game after 18 minutes with a goal taking the score to 1-1 at halftime.

Hungry for a better result coach Kilifi Uele took to the field in the second half and improved Ngeleia’s attacking fluency. His involvement paid off at 44 and 50 minute marks with goals to Sione Tovo and Kilifi Uele respectively. Marist’s attack was then unable to break Ngeleia’s defense in the remaining 20 minutes of the match as the clock ran down. 

Ngeleia’s much improved performance has secured them the third spot on the table while, despite the loss, Marist retain their position at the top of the premier division.

First Division

Meanwhile, first division leader, Longoteme FC drew 0-0 with Ha’amoko United in a very tightly contested match. The goalless draw left table standings unchanged as division 1 approaches its finale with only one match remaining next week between Vaolongolongo and Ha’amoko.

Longoteme needs a better performance to make it into premier division next year, as they await draw 10 results to confirm which premier club they’ll meet in a promotion/relegation play-off.

In the opening match of the women’s division Seketi Fatai grabbed a triple for Nukualofa 11, who took to the field with only 8 players. Sela Vaenuku scored the winner in the 70th minute of the match after ‘Ahau FC tried to stay in touch through Ilaise Faluku’s goal.

But it was the second women’s game between Marist and Kaimai Girls that proved to be the glamour match of the day with both teams contesting a feisty battle. Forward, Heilala Loto’aniu opened the scoring for Marist after 10 minute before Kaimia’s Vaisioa Niukapu equalized in the 20th minute of the game.

With the game at 1-1 after halftime, the deadlock could not be broken as both team matched each other all over the field and attacking movements at both end lacked a finishing touch in front of the goal.

Courtesy of TFA Media