Cook Islands – Tonga Match Summary Download PDF
See below for all the play-by-play action.
The starting line-ups:
Cook Islands: 1. Rangi PIRI, 2. Michael MURARE, 3. Ant SAMUELA (c), 5. Travel KAUKURA, 6. Tamaiva SMITH, 7. Mii PUTAI, 8. Temana PENNYCOOK, 9. Marcelo RAIROA, 10. Twin TIRO, 11. Tyrell BARRINGER-TAHIRI, 13. Jamian IROA
Tonga: 1. Shannon FRIZELL, 3. Siosiua AFU, 5. Mikaele PAHULU, 7. Piokalafi FAKA’OSI, 8. Siosifa MOIMOI, 9. Oliveti VAI, 10. Kinitoni FALATAU (c), 11. Hemaloto POLOVILI, 12. Saimone PAHULU, 13. Misinale LUTU, 16. Titie VAKA’UTA
The match kicks off
1′ It’s another day of brilliant sunshine here in Auckland and the surface is in good condition so there will be no excuses for either of these teams, who are both searching for their first wins of the tournament
2′ Cook Islands have a great chance to open the scoring when Twin Tiro runs onto a through ball but goalkeeper does well to come and at save at his feet
3′ Tyrell Barringer-Tahiri has another opportunity for Cook Islands when the ball breaks to him on the right after a throw in but he blazes his shot wide
6′ Tamaiva Smith whips in a free kick for Cook Islands but Frizell gathers it without too much hassle
6′ Mii Putai tries his luck from the edge of the box for Cook Islands but his curling effort goes straight to Frizell
12′ GOAL!!! Cook Islands 1, Tonga 0: Cook Islands open the scoring when the ball falls to Tyrell Barringer-Tahiri in the box following a Mii Putai corner and he makes no mistake with his finish
14′ Cook Islands try to find a second when Marcelo Rairoa charges off down the right but he fires his shot across the face of goal
15′ Twin Tiro hits a speculative effort at goal from well outside the area but it over the bar
16′ Frizell fails to grasp a Putai corner but Cook Islands can’t capitalise on the mistake
19′ Cook Islands have another chance when Temana Pennycook volleys a loose ball from close range but it rolls wide of the target
21′ Tonga put some pressure on and win a corner but Siosifa Moimoi’s delivery can’t find a team mate and Tonga clear
23′ Tonga nearly draw level when Kinitoni Falatau escapes his marker and fires a long range shot just over the bar
26′ GOAL!!! Cook Islands 2, Tonga 0: Cook Islands extend their lead when a Mii Putai free kick from an acute angle hits the post and Twin Tiro hits home the rebound
30′ Goalscorer Tiro is injured in a challenge and has to leave the field to receive treatment
32′ Saimone Pahulu strikes a rather ambitious effort from just inside the halfway line but it bounces wide for a goalkick
32′ YELLOW CARD: Piokalafi Faka’osi is cautioned for Tonga
33′ Cook Islands 3, Tonga 0: Tamaiva Smith scores a spectacular third for Cook Islands when he bends the ball over Frizell and straight into the net directly from a corner
37′ Falatau shows good strength to cut in from the right and shoot while holding off a challenge but Piri makes a straightforward save
37′ GOAL!!! Cook Islands 4, Tonga 0: Twin Tiro latches onto the ball in the box and creates room for a shot, which he coolly dispatches past Frizell
41′ Cook Islands very nearly have another goal when a Tamaiva Smith free kicks is deflected onto the post
43′ GOAL!!! Cook Islands 5, Tonga 0: Cook Islands do get their fifth just moments later when a penalty is awarded after a goalmouth scramble. Captain Ant Samuela takes the responsibility on and does not let his team mates down, despite Frizell nearly making a good save low to his left
45′ One minute of injury time will be played
The first half comes to an end
The second half kicks off
46′ SUBSTITUTION: Tyrell Barringer-Tahiri is replaced by Daniel Nicol for Cook Islands
48′ Tonga goalkeeper Frizell is called into action twice in quick succession when he comes out to deny Rairoa firstly and then Tiro
50′ Cook Islands have appeals for a penalty waved away when Jamian Iroa charges into the box and tumbles
51′ Iroa is in the action again when he shows good pace to cut in from the right and shoot but the strike is at a comfortable height for Frizell
55′ YELLOW CARD: Piokalafi Faka’osi is cautioned for Tonga
57′ SUBSTITUTION: Rangi Piri is replaced in goal by Eric Katoa for Cook Islands
60′ SUBSTITUTION: Piokalafi Faka’osi is replaced by Silakivai Maile for Tonga
62′ Mii Putai hits an effort from the edge of the area but it flies to the right of Frizell’s post
67′ Tonga 1, Cook Islands 5: Tonga have their first goal of the tournament when Silakivai Maile lets fly with a looping long range shot which substitute goalkeeper Eric Katoa spills into his net
70′ SUBSTITUTION: Jamian Iroa is replaced by Marcus Toru for Cook Islands
73′ SUBSTITUTION: Hemaloto Polovili is replaced by Poasi Talanoa for Tonga
76′ Cook Islands nearly score their first goal of the half when Twin Tiro slides in a low shot after a scramble but it is somehow cleared on the line
78′ SUBSTITUTION: Oliveti Vai is replaced by Taniela Vaka’uta for Tonga
81′ Mii Putai runs onto a through ball for Cook Islands but Frizell bravely charges out and blocks his path
84′ Tonga will be pleased with their efforts in the second half as they have rallied and put in a much more resilient showing
88′ Tonga 2, Cook Islands 5: Tonga are rewarded for their improved effort when captain Kinitoni Falatau tucks the inside Frizell’s near post from close range
89′ Tiro tries his luck for Cook Islands with a chipped strike from the edge of the box but it goes over Frizell’s bar
90′ Four minutes of injury time will be played
90′ + 4′ GOAL!!! Cook Islands 6, Tonga 2: Temana Pennycook completes the scoring when he tucks away a penalty for Cook Islands
The final whistle is blown