Tonga national under-23 football team

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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

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.

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
Australia New Zealand 1988 Did not enter
Fiji 1991
Australia 1996
New Zealand 1999 Group stage 3 0 0 3 1 20
Australia New Zealand 2004 4 2 0 2 4 8
Fiji 2008 Did not enter
New Zealand 2012 Group stage 2 0 0 2 0 13
Papua New Guinea 2015 Did not enter
Fiji 2019 Group stage 3 0 0 3 2 18
New Zealand 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 Fiji Lautoka, Fiji
15:00 Report
Stadium: Churchill Park
Attendance: 350
Referee: Thailand Sivakorn Pu-Udom
25 September 2019 (2019-09-25) 2019 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament Group Stage Tonga  0-8  Vanuatu Fiji Lautoka, Fiji
12:00 Report
Stadium: Churchill Park
Attendance: 100
Referee: Solomon Islands George Time


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 Tonga Veitongo
20 1GK Polutele Tavite (1999-08-28) 28 August 1999 (age 24) 1 0 Tonga Longoteme

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

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

10 4FW Laulea Taufa (1999-07-14) 14 July 1999 (age 24) 1 0 Tonga
11 4FW Hemaloto Polovili (1997-07-26) 26 July 1997 (age 26) 4 2 Tonga Veitongo
4FW Tuloi Maamaloa (2000-12-28) 28 December 2000 (age 23) 0 0 Tonga 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 Tonga 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 Tonga 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 Tonga Lotoha'apai United
13 2DF Samisoni Mafi (1990-08-20)20 August 1990 (aged 21) 2 0 Tonga 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 Tonga Lotoha'apai United
5 3MF Oliveti Vai (1994-05-10)10 May 1994 (aged 17) 2 0 Tonga Lotoha'apai United
7 3MF Siosifa Moimoi (1994-09-30)30 September 1994 (aged 17) 2 0 Tonga Kolofo’ou FC
8 3MF Timote Maamaaloa (1989-06-17)17 June 1989 (aged 22) 2 0 Tonga 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 Tonga 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 Tonga Lotoha'apai United
22 4FW Valu Kolofale (1993-08-03)3 August 1993 (aged 18) 0 0 Tonga 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.