Goals galore at national champs

The Cook Islands Football complex was packed with hundreds of players and supporters on Saturday to watch the first of the National Youth Soccer Championship games.

Although the sun was nowhere to be seen, the tournament kicked off without a hitch as every team was eager to play.

The first round of the 2011 National Youth Championships brought plenty of goalmouth drama as the net was bulged 35 times across the six games played at the CIFA complex in Matavera.

In Pool A Aitutaki kicked off the high scoring with a 5 goal to 1 win over Mangaia in the under 16 girls division.

Linade Unuka shot Aitutakis first goal from outside the penalty goal area to find the Mangaia goal keeper out of reach of the goal sending supporters cheering.

Aitutaki proved too strong for Mangaia adding another 3 goals to their score sheet.

Mangaia took advantage of a free kick that was awarded to them, however Aitutaki scored another goal before full time.

Following suit was the Aitutaki under 15 boys as they went into their match, winning convincingly over Mangaia by 12 goals to 0 with Aitutakis striker Raui Tare scoring 5 goals.

In Pool B Mitiaro, who entered the girls division for the first time, took on neighbouring island Atiu in the under 16 girls division with Atiu scoring first.

But things began to pick up for Mitiaro in the second spell when they scored the equaliser minutes before full time.

In the under 15 boys division, Atiu looked confident to post their first win and they found the back of the net first however Mitiaro managed to level the score before the half time break.

Mitiaro under 15 boys were delighted to have posted a win through their striker Thomas Potoru who banged in both of their goals.

In the last round of games on Saturday, Te Au O Tonga convincingly defeated Puaikura by 4 goals to 1 while Mauke thrashed Vaka Takitumu by 6 goals to 0. - CIFA Media

Full results: (Pool A) Under 16 girls-Aitutaki 5 vs Mangaia 1, Under 15 boys-Aitutaki 12 vs Mangaia 0, Under 15 boys-Takitumu 0 vs Mauke 6, (Pool B)Under 16 girls-Atiu 1 vs Mitiaro 1, Under 15 boys-Atiu 1 vs Mitiaro 2, Under 15 boys-Te Au O Tonga 4 vs Puaikura 1.

Todays draw and referee appointment (Field 1) 2.00pm-Under 16 Girls Mitiaro vs Te Au O Tonga, Ref-Junior Arioka assisted by Lai Gukisuva and Ua Aberahama (Atiu Bye), 3.10pm-Under 15 Boys Mitiaro vs Te Au O Tonga, Ref-Toru Ori assisted by Travel Nootai and Anabeth Tetauru, 4.20pm-Under 15 Boys Atiu vs Puaikura, Ref-Robert Savage assisted by Melanie Wilson and Mosman Baker, (Field 2) 2.00pm-Under 16 Girls Mangaia vs Takitumu, Ref-Mata Iroa assisted by Travel Nootai and Robert Savage (Aitutaki Bye), 3.10pm-Under 15 Boys Mangaia vs Takitumu, Ref-Maara Kaukura assisted by Tino Napa and Junior Arioka, 4.20pm-Under 15 Boys Aitutaki vs Mauke, Ref-John Pareanga assisted by Paavo Mustonen and Michael Murare.