When father and son made history together for Tongan football

Sometimes we hear about some cases of father and son playing for the same team and even scoring in the same match. There are some famous cases like the Gudjohnsen’s, the Iceland’s most famous footballing dynasty. While Arnor and Eidur Gudjohnsen never played together as team-mates, son Eidur replaced Arnor as a second-half substitute in an international friendly against Estonia in 1996, symbolising one career coming to a close, while another was just starting.

Other famous case happened some years ago when brazilian legend Rivaldo and his son Rivaldinho scored in the same match for Mogi Mirim against Macaé in Brazilian second tier. But one of the most impressive cases happened this year in Oceania.

It was January 27 and Lotoha’apai United was ready to debut in 2019 OFC Champions League against Pago Youth from American Samoa. Halapua Falepapalangi (father) and Tuia Falepapalangi (son) were playing together and they did not know they would put their names in football’s history that day.

After losing by 1-0 in the first half, Lotoha’apai came back to pitch ready to react and win the game. At 53 minutes, young midfielder Tuia Falepapalangi scored after a magnificent pass by Hemaloto Polovili. It was Tuia’s first goal ever in Oceania Champions League. He scored two more goals at 66′ and 69′ to complete a hat-trick.

At the final minutes Lotoha’apai was winning by 4-1 and it was the perfect time for history to happen. In the 83rd minute Halapua Falepapalangi scored an amazing goal in a tremendous right-footed long shot to seal the 5-1 win.

And that was exactly what should happen to turn it into something historical. It was the first time ever that father and son scored in the same match in a club continental competition. Falepapalangi family put Tonga in football history, something very special when it comes to a country placed in 203 of 211 National Teams in FIFA Ranking.

Their goals and Oceania Football Confederation’s interview with them are available in the video below:

It was the only Lotoha’apai United win in the competition. They lost the two other matches to Kiwi FC from Samoa and Tupapa Maraerenga from Cook Islands.

History is not always made by the greatest teams or the greatest players. Many incredible things happen all over the world and one of these things happened right here in Oceania Champions League!