Not content with posting one international goal, the 17-year-old striker went ahead and bagged all three of Tonga’s goals in their 3-3 draw with Samoa on Match Day 2 of the 2015 OFC U-20 Women’s Championship.
While for most that would be a feat worthy of giddy celebrations, a calm Tongia says she’s just “feeling fine”.
“I mean, it’s exciting of course. It was good to score some goals,” she admits.
“I definitely enjoyed the game today compared with the last one.”
Tongia makes darting runs forward with her speed an obvious advantage over defenders, she has a strong eye for goal and is also adept at holding up the ball when required.
In fact, her style is reminiscent of U-20 women’s coach, and national team player Penateti Feke’s.
“I’ve learned a lot from Pena, I’d love to follow after her,” she says.
Like Feke in her day, Tongia is a rising youth sprinting champion and even competed at the recent XV Pacific Games.
“I didn’t go to do soccer, it was for athletics. I didn’t win any medals but I qualified for the semi-finals and then out,” she recalls.
However her first love is football which is why she’s pleased to be back out on the field.
A member of the 2014 U-20 squad Tongia was the author of two goals against Vanuatu in her team’s one and only win and she believes the 2015 edition has taken things up a notch.
“I think the teams are harder this time,” she says, “even New Zealand.
“Last time we played their team it was 3-1 and this year I think they prepared even better.”
With a growing wealth of experience under her belt, Tongia is hoping she can continue to do Tonga proud in front of friends and family.
“I want to thank my family, relatives and everyone for their support and I’m willing to do my best in the game against New Caledonia next Thursday,” she says.
“I really enjoy playing for Tonga especially as this year it’s here in Tonga so we have more supporters around.”
Having the weight of the home fans’ expectations can be a heavy burden to bear for some players, but Tongia is not one of them.
“It doesn’t make me nervous at all playing at home, it makes me feel more confident – it gives me a confidence boost.”
After a short break Tongia and her teammates will be back in action on Thursday against New Caledonia, another side left licking their wounds after a severe defeat at the hands of the New Zealanders.
Tongia says she’s not sure how things will go in that encounter but she’s hopeful of a positive outcome.
“When I saw the score against New Zealand it made me a little bit confident that maybe we can score some goals and win against New Caledonia,” she says.
“But I guess we will have to wait and see.”