Cooks beat Tonga in Oceania champs

The Cook Islands under 17 men’s soccer team convincingly defeated Tonga in their third match of the Oceania Under 17 Men’s Championship by six goals to two in Auckland.

The local side was stronger and dominant throughout the first half of the match with the first goal coming through New Zealand based Tyrell Barringer-Tahiri,

Barringer-Tahiri helped get the scoring underway when he pressured the Tongan defence into an own goal from a Mii Putai corner in the 11th minute.

Twin Tiro (pictured right) struck twice while Tamaiva Smith and captain Anthony Samuela put the result beyond doubt from the penalty spot to give the Cooks a five goal lead over Tonga at the half-time whistle.

Substitutions were made in the second half to the Cook Islands side with Eric Katoa replacing Rangi Piri in the goal while Daniel Nicol replaced Tyrell Barringer-Tahiri and Marcus Toru replaced Jamien Iroa.

The match’s second penalty was tucked away by Temana Pennycook to give Cook Islands their sixth and final goal to wrap up the scoring in stoppage time. Cook Islands coach, Tuka Tisam was just as delighted with the team’s great effort. “It’s great to finally get three points on the board,” he said.

“I think we were suffering from a lot of nerves in the first couple of games but the players’ confidence has gradually built up.”