Moleni named his 20-strong squad this month and was able to select seven players capped by their country at senior level and five that have also worn the red of Tonga in the U-17 age group.
The tournament takes place at Owen Delany Park from March 16 to 24 and Tonga have been dealt a tough hand by the draw, being placed alongside hosts and favourites New Zealand along with a talented Papua New Guinea outfit who have former Australia national team coach Frank Farina at the helm.
Moleni’s men start with a bye and will therefore sit out the first day of action on Friday, not taking the field until Sunday to tackle Papua New Guinea. The hugely-challenging clash with the Oly Whites follows on Tuesday and the Tongan players will be aware of the need to be at their best to get anything out of either game.
But the spirits of the football community in Tonga are currently high after the nation successfully played host earlier this month to the Oceania Women’s Olympic Qualifier, which the home side performed strongly in to make the final and finish as runners-up. That result was the latest in a string of positive outcomes from female national sides and their male counterparts will be keen to show there is more to Tongan football than a promising women’s game.
The senior national team made a good start towards doing that during stage one of the Oceania qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup last November in Samoa, snatching second place from American Samoa on goals scored after posting a win, a draw and a loss.
It is from that group that the seven internationals have been plucked and brought into the Olympic set up while the U-17 five have progressed from the Tongan squad that competed at that age group’s OFC championship in January last year.
Australian Chris Williams coached both those teams but has now returned to his homeland, leaving Moleni to step up to the helm for Taupo. He will be assisted by Lafaele Moala, a playing member of the World Cup-qualifiers squad, and the pair will be aiming to carry on the momentum gained at that tournament.
The senior internationals will form the basis of the side with midfielder Malakai Savieti and striker Kinitoni Falatau likely to be particularly important. Falatau and fellow forwards Siosaia Latupauu and Hemaloto Polovili will be expected to provide Tonga with enough finishing ability to earn pleasing results from their group matches, a pair of challenging encounters against favourites New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
Tickets for all matches in Taupo can be purchased from the gate and are priced at $10 for adults and $5 for teenagers/over-65s, while ages 12 and under can enter for free.
Tonga squad for OFC Men’s Olympic Qualifier
Goalkeepers
Soane FAUPULA
Vei TAUFA’AO
Defenders
Fineasi PALEI
Christian LIKIO
Oliveti VAI
Sione LANGI
Matana PAONGO
Samisoni MAFI
Sevedale LATU
Joseph KAPANI
Steven LIKIO
Ilaisa LOTAKI
Midfielders
Malakai SAVIETI
Siosifa MOIMOI
Timote MAAMALOA
Misinale LUTU
Vaha MAAMALOA
Forwards
Kinitoni FALATAU
Siosaia LATUPAUU
Hemaloto POLOVILI

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