Tonga national under-23 football team

The Tonga national under-23 football team, also known as Tonga U23, represents Tonga at U23 tournaments. The team is considered to be the feeder team for the Tonga national football team and is controlled by the Tonga Football Association.

Tonga U23
Shirt badge/Association crest
AssociationTonga Football Association
ConfederationOFC (Oceania)
Head coachTimote Moleni
FIFA codeTGA
First colours
Second colours
First international
 Solomon Islands 7–0 Tonga 
(Auckland, New Zealand; 11 December 1999)
Biggest win
 Tonga 3–0 American Samoa 
(Auckland, New Zealand; 14 January 2004)
Biggest defeat
 New Zealand 10–0 Tonga 
(Taupō, New Zealand; 21 March 2012)
OFC U23 Championship
Appearances5 (First in 1999)
Best resultGroup Stage

History edit

Tonga U23 made three appearances so far at the OFC U23 Championship. They never reached further than the Group Stage. In 2019 they were defeated 4-1 by Fiji in their opening pool match[1] before losing 8-0 to Vanuatu.[2]

In 2012 Timote Moleni was appointed as team coach.[3]

Competitive record edit

OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament edit

The OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament is a tournament held once every four years to decide the only qualification spot for Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and representatives at the Olympic Games.

OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament record
Year Round Pld W D L GF GA
    1988 Did not enter
  1991
  1996
  1999 Group stage 3 0 0 3 1 20
    2004 4 2 0 2 4 8
  2008 Did not enter
  2012 Group stage 2 0 0 2 0 13
  2015 Did not enter
  2019 Group stage 3 0 0 3 2 18
  2023 3 0 0 3 1 12
Total Group stage 15 2 0 13 8 71

Fixtures & Results edit

2019 edit

22 September 2019 (2019-09-22) 2019 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament Group Stage Tonga   1-4   Fiji   Lautoka, Fiji
15:00 Report
Stadium: Churchill Park
Attendance: 350
Referee:   Sivakorn Pu-Udom
25 September 2019 (2019-09-25) 2019 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament Group Stage Tonga   0-8   Vanuatu   Lautoka, Fiji
12:00 Report
Stadium: Churchill Park
Attendance: 100
Referee:   George Time
28 September 2019 (2019-09-28) 2019 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament Group Stage Papua New Guinea   v   Tonga   Lautoka, Fiji
12:00 Report Stadium: Churchill Park
Referee:   [[]]


Current squad edit

The following players were called to the squad for the 2019 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament from 21 September - 5 October 2019.
Caps and goals updated as of 28 September 2019 after the match against   Papua New Guinea.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Mahe Malafu (1998-02-24) 24 February 1998 (age 26) 3 0   Veitongo
20 1GK Polutele Tavite (1999-08-28) 28 August 1999 (age 24) 1 0   Longoteme

2 2DF Tevita Vakatapu (1999-12-02) 2 December 1999 (age 24) 3 0   Haʻamoko United Youth
3 2DF Nicolas Vea (2002-10-31) 31 October 2002 (age 21) 3 0   Navutoka
4 2DF Kelepi Mataele (1999-09-16) 16 September 1999 (age 24) 3 0  
5 2DF Opesi Tu'ifangaloka (1999-07-21) 21 July 1999 (age 24) 3 0   Veitongo
13 2DF Amanaki Laui (1998-06-11) 11 June 1998 (age 25) 2 0   Longoteme
14 2DF Sitaleki Fisi (2000-02-11) 11 February 2000 (age 24) 2 0   Lotohaʻapai United
15 2DF Pita Huni (2001-02-25) 25 February 2001 (age 23) 2 0   Lotohaʻapai United
17 2DF Valeiaatu Fili (1999-01-14) 14 January 1999 (age 25) 3 0   Longoteme

6 3MF William Senituli (2002-02-24) 24 February 2002 (age 22) 1 0  
7 3MF Sione Tu'ifangaloka (1999-04-24) 24 April 1999 (age 25) 3 0   Veitongo
8 3MF Soakai Vea (1998-07-19) 19 July 1998 (age 25) 3 0   Marist
9 3MF Rick Taula (2000-02-12) 12 February 2000 (age 24) 2 0   Longoteme
12 3MF Mohammad Rajani (1999-04-16) 16 April 1999 (age 25) 3 0   GHFA Spirit
16 3MF Pesamino Tomasi (2001-03-08) 8 March 2001 (age 23) 1 0  
3MF Aisea Muli (1998-10-17) 17 October 1998 (age 25) 0 0   Longoteme

10 4FW Laulea Taufa (1999-07-14) 14 July 1999 (age 24) 1 0  
11 4FW Hemaloto Polovili (1997-07-26) 26 July 1997 (age 26) 4 2   Veitongo
4FW Tuloi Maamaloa (2000-12-28) 28 December 2000 (age 23) 0 0   Navutoka

2012 squad edit

Caps and goals as of 16 March 2012.
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Sione Faupula (1991-01-07)7 January 1991 (aged 21) 2 0   Lotoha'apai United
18 1GK Vei Taufa'ao (1989-05-27)27 May 1989 (aged 22) 0 0 Unattached
4 2DF Christian Likio (1990-03-28)28 March 1990 (aged 21) 2 0   Unattached
9 2DF Sione Langi (1992-06-07)7 June 1992 (aged 19) 0 0 Unattached
10 2DF Matana Paongo (1989-03-09)9 March 1989 (aged 23) 1 0   Lotoha'apai United
13 2DF Samisoni Mafi (1990-08-20)20 August 1990 (aged 21) 2 0   Lotoha'apai United
14 2DF Sevedale Latu (1990-11-09)9 November 1990 (aged 21) 1 0 Unattached
17 2DF Joseph Kapani (1989-06-09)9 June 1989 (aged 22) 1 0 Unattached
20 2DF Ilaisa Lotaki (1990-01-12)12 January 1990 (aged 22) 1 0 Unattached
2 3MF Fineasi Palei (1989-05-20)20 May 1989 (aged 22) 2 0   Lotoha'apai United
5 3MF Oliveti Vai (1994-05-10)10 May 1994 (aged 17) 2 0   Lotoha'apai United
7 3MF Siosifa Moimoi (1994-09-30)30 September 1994 (aged 17) 2 0   Kolofo’ou FC
8 3MF Timote Maamaaloa (1989-06-17)17 June 1989 (aged 22) 2 0   Lotoha'apai United
16 3MF Misinale Lutu (1994-01-12)12 January 1994 (aged 18) 1 0 Unattached
19 3MF Steven Likio (1991-06-03)3 June 1991 (aged 20) 0 0 Unattached
21 4FW Vaha Maamaaloa (1989-06-17)17 June 1989 (aged 22) 1 0 Unattached
6 4FW Malakai Savieti (1989-11-11)11 November 1989 (aged 22) 2 0 Unattached
11 4FW Kinitoni Falatau (1994-11-14)14 November 1994 (aged 17) 2 0   Houmakelikao
12 4FW Siosaia Latupauu (1993-11-13)13 November 1993 (aged 18) 2 0 Unattached
15 4FW Hemaloto Polovili (1997-07-26)26 July 1997 (aged 14) 1 0   Lotoha'apai United
22 4FW Valu Kolofale (1993-08-03)3 August 1993 (aged 18) 0 0   Lotoha'apai United

List of coaches edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Fiji U23 footballers thrashes Tonga in Olympic qualifier". Fiji Times. 22 September 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  2. ^ "Sport: Fiji and Vanuatu seal Olympic Qualifier semis". RNZ. 26 September 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  3. ^ "Tonga turn to senior experience for OFC Olympic Qualifier". BoxScore News. 13 March 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2022.