The Cook Islands have opened their home OFC U-19 Men’s Championship 2026 – Qualifying campaign with a 4-1 victory over Tonga at the CIFA Academy in Rarotonga.
Captain Dallas Rongokea set the tone for the tournament hosts with two first half goals, as the Cook Islands set up an unassailable three-goal lead at half-time and cruised to a convincing win.
The result is the Cook Islands first victory over Tonga at U-19 level in OFC competition, having previously cancelled each other out in three draws – and sets up a decisive match on Friday against Papua New Guinea for a place at the OFC U-19 Men’s Championship in Samoa.
Rongokea opened the scoring from point-blank range in the 16th minute, following a dangerous low ball across the face of the box from Josef Crocombe. The hosts had further opportunities to extend their advantage when Kenya Enoka hit the left post with an overhead kick, and Maui Denny clipped an effort inches over the top of the crossbar.
Crocombe was instead on hand to double their advantage in the 43rd minute, the first of two quick goals before the break. He was the first to react to a shot from Kima Webb that deflected back out to him off the right post.
Webb than set up Rongokea for his second goal and the Cook Islands third in first half stoppage-time, the latter heading the ball down into the back of the net from a set-piece delivery to the back post.
Their fourth and final goal came on the hour mark, Fetu’u Tonga in the Tongan defence poking the ball into his own net, after an inviting cross of the right wing from Crocombe.
Tonga did at least a muster a conslation goal from their stay in the Cook Islands late in the piece, Fonua Moala scoring in second half stoppage-time.
Consecutive defeats from their two games mean Tonga leave Rarotonga empty-handed, whilst the Cook Islands focus shifts straight to a winner-takes-all clash with Papua New Guinea on the same ground on Friday – the winner of which will finish atop the standings and qualify for OFC U-19 Men’s Championship 2026 in Samoa.
Tonga: 1 (Fonua MOALA 90+3′)
Cook Islands: 4 (Dallas RONGOKEA 16′, 45+2′, Josef CROCOMBE 43′, Own Goal 59′)
HT: 0-3
Photo credit: OFC Media via Creators Hype