Tonga

Already out of contention for the semi-final stage, competition debutants American Samoa will be out to cause an upset when they face Tonga in the opening match of the day. Tonga need a strong win – and Cook Islands to defeat Fiji – to equalise with Fiji on points and overtake the Melanesian nation on goal difference.

Feeling positive after claiming their first point of the competition on Monday, Tonga coach Lafaela Moala has put Cook Islands and Fiji’s encounter out of his mind and is keeping focus on repeating the impressive performance Tonga gave against Fiji.

Although their final placing won’t be confirmed until the last matches for Group B on Friday, Cook Islands secured at least a second place finish in the group – enough to qualify – after Fiji and Tonga’s 0-0 draw in the opening match of the day.

After finishing bottom of their group in their debut last year, a fresh-faced Samoa team has rallied all the experience they can for this year’s campaign with hopes to improve on home soil.

Argentinian FFA B Licence coach Guillermo Schiltenwolf has been appointed to guide the squad from the sideline, and some key recruits have recently joined the camp in Samoa as they prepare for redemption.

Executive Director of Pacific Games Council, Andrew Minogue said they have engaged a local solicitor to proceed with the legal action.

After Tonga withdrew, the only country that has expressed their interest to host the game is Samoa while New Caledonia will support Tahiti to host the game.

Prime Minister of Samoa Tuilaepa Sailele Malielagaoi has already indicated his government’s willingness to support the bid for Samoa to host the Games.

But Minogue said the decision will be made after July 31.

With the combined results of the 2016 and 2017 cups doubling as World Cup qualifiers, Samoa needed to at least draw with the unbeaten Fijians to overhaul Tonga and reach the tournament in Japan in two years time.

Even a bonus point in defeat might have been enough.

They led 16-14 at half time in Apia but had no answers as Fiji over-ran them in the second half.

Fiji, who secured qualification last week when they defeated Tonga 14-10, scored five tries in total, including a hat-trick to scrumhalf Henry Seniloli.

For the local Tongan community, the twice weekly flights on Sundays and Thursdays, is a much less burden — especially on the financial side — on having to travel via Samoa and Fiji to get to Tonga.

Using its nine-seater passenger aircraft, Talofa Airways launched Sunday morning its inaugural direct-flight from Pago Pago International Airport to Tonga’s capital of Nuku’alofa.

The Government pulled its backing for the Games at the end of May, citing financial reasons.

The Pacific Games Council gave them until the end of June to address their concerns and said if there was no change in stance they would begin proceedings to seek damages through the court.

But the Prime Minister, 'Akilisi Pohiva, said the decision was final and his government wanted to focus its resources on more important areas of economic development.

The tournament, which also involves Fiji, doubles as a qualifier for the World Cup with the combined 2016 and 2017 results deciding which two teams from the region win automatic berths in Japan in 2019.

It was the first test Tonga have hosted in eight years and drew a crowd of around 10,000 at the newly-refurbished Teufaiva Stadium in the Tongan capital.

Tongan halfback Sonatane Takulua scored all of his side's points in the second half with a converted try and a penalty as they built on their 20-16 lead at the break to hold off a late charge from the Samoans.

Kicking off just over a year after the 2016 OFC U-17 Championship – and only a few months after the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Papua New Guinea – there are many familiar faces coming to Auckland this July.

Defending champions New Zealand have recruited an army of international experience for their attempt at a sixth-consecutive title including Malia Steinmetz, Grace Jale, and goalkeeper Anna Leat – who will offer senior international football experience to Gareth Turnball’s squad having already been in the mix for the New Zealand national women’s team.

The fights will operate on Mondays and Friday from Fagali'i Airport to Tongatapu.

The flights from Pago Pago International Airport in American Samoa will operate on Sundays and Thursdays local time.

RNZi reports the flights come less than a year since Talofa started operations.

In a statement the airline's CEO Toleafoa Jeffrey Hunter said Talofa Airways was now ready to provide the much needed direct air services between Tonga and the two Samoas.

He said it was his hope to expand the service to Niue, Wallis & Futuna and other neighbouring islands.