Tonga downed Vanautu 2-1 at FFS Football Stadium Apia on Saturday 10 February 2024. Photo: OFC Media
Tonga will be focusing on discipline and defence when they go up against the Samoan's in their final poll game at the OFC Women's Olympic Qualifier in Apia on Tuesday.
Tonga women's football general manager Atelaite Tuivailala believes those two things will be the key ingredients for the Mataliki team when they meet their rivals, knowing that a win over the hosts will propel Tonga to a semifinal spot.
The last time the side reached the semifinals was in 2012.
The Mataliki side lost 3-0 to New Zealand in their first game but bounced back on Saturday to beat Vanuatu 2-1 to keep their hopes alive.
Tuivailala said she has been impressed with the team so far.
New Zealand only scored in the first 16 minutes of the game and were not able to find the net again for the next 74 minutes.
"As the head of women's football for Tonga, I am very very pleased with the Mataliki performances so far since the opening of this Olympic qualifier," she said on Monday.
"I witnessed the hard work these young ladies did on the field. I am so so proud of them.
"These players have showed their pathways was right from the beginning of their football journey and also their discipline level is very good."
The mix of local and overseas based players seem to have worked for the team so far, she said, adding the experience of players who have flown in to join the team was "immense".
"We have international players and they contributed to bring the Mataliki to this stage," she said.
One of the players is Daviana Vaka, who resides in the United States, will lead the team against Samoa.
The player of the match against Vanuatu, goalkeeper Madison Tenifa, said after the game that they look forward to meeting Samoa.
"We are so excited and so happy," she said of the win against Vanuatu.
"To be honest we really need this win in order to get into the semifinal. We are looking forward to the game against Samoa.
"Between Tonga and Samoa we know that it is a rival game in the Pacific but we are ready, come what may."
'Defence wins'
Fijian Jagdish Reddy, who has been assisting the team and Tonga Football as technical specialist and coach mentor said defense will be the crucial for the team against Samoa.
He said this was an area that head coach and former Tongan international Kilifi Uele has focused on during preparation.
"The players are finally understanding what it takes to win in such tournaments. Defence wins championships," Reddy said.
"We keep working on our defensive shape. Very proud of the way we played against New Zealand, who have full of professionals and we taught them what is defense.
"Defensively being responsible and finish whatever opportunities we create. We must put up a masterful display in defending and keeping possession."
Reddy said Samoa will be tough to beat at home but the Tongan women are focused on achieving their goal at the event.
Solomons Islands hopeful
Solomon Islands coach Batram Suri said he hopes his team can score when opportunities come their way as Fiji, who they face on Tuesday, will be tough.
He said they will have to work hard and score goals against the Fijians.
Solomon Islands need to win against Fiji to qualify for the semifinals.
Suri said missed opportunities against Papua New Guinea in their first pool game, which they drew 1-1, could come back to haunt them.
Fiji and New Zealand have qualified for the semifinals with two wins each from two games.
Tuesday's last round of pool matches will determine which two teams will join them in the last four.
The OFC winner will represent Oceania at the 2024 Olympic Games in France.
