Cook Islands football men’s team is out of the FIFA World Cup 26™ Oceania Qualifiers after losing to Tonga 1-3 in its first match in Apia, Samoa, yesterday.

Tonga have advanced to the final match in Round One of the FIFA World Cup 26™ Oceania Qualifiers with an impressive win over Cook Islands in Apia.

Captain Hemaloto Polovili was in inspirational form for his side, creating the first goal and scoring the second as Tonga defied the odds to secure their place in Monday’s final match (local time).

After a slow start, Tonga played themselves into the ascendency, with their physicality making life difficult for Tuka Tisam’s Cook Islands squad.

Twenty-seven minutes were on the clock when Polovili made his first mark, playing a lovely through ball over the top to the on-running Viliami Tikoipau, who showed excellent composure to slot the ball under goalkeeper Ngereine Maro.

The captain then had the opportunity to double the lead from the penalty spot. Ulafala Sonasi rounded the goalkeeper only to be upended, giving the referee little choice but to point to the spot.

Polovili stepped up and confidently smashed it into the left-hand corner to double his side’s lead.

With their World Cup hopes on the line, Cook Islands came out in the second-half with a renewed intensity and speed, looking to find a way back into the match in the early stages.

It was Tonga however that nearly added a third. Viliami Tukia spotting goalkeeper Maro off his line and lifting an effort from distance that landed just over the crossbar.

Just past the hour mark and Cook Islands finally found a way back in. Taci Kumsuz capitalising on slack defending from Tonga and hooking the ball in from the corner of the box to half the arrears.

An equaliser almost arrived with a little over a quarter hour remaining, when substitute Tremaine Rimene-Albrett let fly from the edge of the box. Tonga goalkeeper Semisi Otukolo with an awkward save that deflected just past the post.

A cooling break allowed Tonga to settle themselves and it paid dividends almost immediately. Substitute Christopher Kefu grabbing a crucial third to all but confirm the result – despite appearing to injure himself in the process!

Tonga will now face Samoa, who defeated American Samoa 2-0 yesterday, to determine who will advance to the group stages of round two next month.

Cook Islands will play American Samoa in a friendly match on Monday (local time).

In lead up to yesterday’s match, Cook Islands Coach Tuka Tisam expressed confidence that his team’s preparation would put them in good stead as they aimed to overcome Tonga and keep their World Cup dream alive.

“The boys are very excited for this upcoming match against Tonga. The excitement is there, they can feel the pressure that’s coming, so they’ll be excited for this first game” Tisam said earlier this week.

“The boys just have to go out there and play. All the training, all the work has been done by management, so I think they’re ready to go on match day.”

• OFC Media

Cook Islands squad

The Cook Islands squad and management are as follows: Ngereine Maro, Ngametua Tuakana, Paavo Mustonen, Orin Ruaine-Prattley, Taylor Saghabi, Grover Harmon, Tremaine Rimene-Albrett, Siaosi Kaufononga, Emiel Burrow, Dwayne Tiputoa, John Noovao, Tupaia Ringi, Joshua Karika, Tacettin Kumsuz, Oscar Wichman, Thane Vogel Beal, Tamaiva-Ariki Mateariki, Kerim Kumsuz and Tahiri Elikana. Management and staff: Head Coach – Tuka Tisam, Assistant Coach – Andrew Iroa, Goalkeeper Coach – Tyson Tekeu, Physio – Siosaia Vakasiuola, Manager – Paul Allsworth, and Assistant Manager – Lai Gukisuva.