Tonga women's side eyes semifinal spot at OFC Olympic qualifier

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."

- RNZI