Sunshine and a cool breeze provided for some excellent conditions to open the 2019 Kia Orana Youth Football Festival on a good note. A full stadium and lively crowd attended in support of all playing teams.
Mangaia and Nikao Sokattak FC opened the festival in style with the girl’s division followed by the boy’s wowing spectators with simple skills and plentiful goals. Both games went in favour of Mangaia however with four goals to Nikao Sokattak’s one.
Mangaia’s Fitness coach, Moe Tangatakino, spoke on behalf of both team’s stating “Football in Mangaia is not up to Standard compared to Rarotonga. For us, it’s about introducing our youth into the game. Nikao came out and played the marvellous game they had more skill and knowledge, but we managed to put our knowledge from training into practice and take out a win in both games.”
In the next two games, Mitiaro kept the scores level with Takitumu in the girl’s division two goals apiece keeping their hopes up for a spot in the final rounds while Takitumu’s boy’s put their goals away for a 9-0 finish against Mitiaro.
Takitumu U16 boy’s coach, Raymond Newnham, conveyed that Takitumu is content with the overall result in both matches. “It’s our first game, we didn’t know anything about the opposition, so both our teams just focused on trying to do their jobs and play to the best of their abilities.”
Today’s games will commence at 1:00 pm and will still be split between two venues. Takitumu will host Pool B while Pool A moves back to the CIFA complex.
Draw for Tuesday 23rd April:
Pool A – CIFA COMPLEX FIELD 1
1.00pm Nikao Sokattak FC vs. Takitumu (Girls)
2.10pm Nikao Sokattak FC vs. Takitumu (Boys)
3.20pm Puaikura FC vs. Mitiaro (Girls)
4.30pm Puaikura FC vs. Mitiaro (Boys)
POOL B – CIFA COMPLEX FIELD 2
1.00pm Atiu vs. Aitutaki (Girls)
2.10pm Atiu vs. Aitutaki (Boys)
3.20pm Mauke vs. Tupapa Maraerenga FC (Girls)
4.30pm Mauke vs. Tupapa Maraerenga FC (Boys)
Draw for Wednesday 24th April:
Pool A – CIFA COMPLEX FIELD 1
1.00pm Takitumu vs. Puaikura FC (Girls)
2.10pm Takitumu vs. Puaikura FC (Boys)
3.20pm Mitiaro vs. Mangaia (Girls)
4.30pm Mitiaro vs. Mangaia (Boys)
POOL B – CIFA COMPLEX FIELD 2
1.00pm Atiu vs. Mauke (Girls)
2.10pm Atiu vs. Mauke (Boys)
3.20pm Aitutaki vs. Tupapa Maraerenga FC (Girls)
4.30pm Aitutaki vs. Tupapa Maraerenga FC (Boys)
