U-17 Updates: Cook Islands beat Tonga

Cook Islands have earned their first win of the OFC U-17 Championship with a 6-2 win over Tonga at North Harbour Stadium. 


In a hard-fought first half, Cook islands scored just 12 minutes into the game when the ball found striker Tyrell Barringer-Tahiri in the Tongan goal mouth to hit the ball home.


Tonga almost drew level few minutes later when Kiniton Falatalu fired a long range shot above the crossbar. 


Cook Islands however ensured their three points when they scored another 4 goals to make in 5 - 0 at half time. 


In the second half it was Tonga who drew first blood. 


Their first goal of the tournament came when Silakivai Maile blasted another long range that was too much for Cook Islands substitute goalkeeper Eric Katoa to handle. 


With the their first goal now in the bag, the Tongan spirits were elevated, as they went to on to score their second goal of the game and the tournament 88 minutes into the game. 


Cook Islands scored their final goal of the game in the dying minute of added time   when Temana Pennycook successfully converted a penalty after a infringement by the Tongan defence inside their box.


Final result Cook Islands 6 - 2 Tonga.