Tonga Confident of Success in Samoa

After a less than impressive showing at the 2009 Pepsi ICC East Asia-Pacific Men's Cricket Trophy, Tonga is confident they can turn around that form and catch the other five teams off guard at next month's EAP Division 2 Trophy in Samoa.

Tonga has not participated at International level in any age category since 2009, and many believe they will be fighting an uphill battle to depart Apia with any silverware.

Their coach Sione Holi disagrees however, saying he has a side capable of winning the title.

"I am very confident this year," he said. "To be honest at our best I don't think any team is strong enough to beat us."

According to Holi, the difference between the Tongan side of 2009 compared to the one that will take the field in April is their attitude to training.

"The players have really committed themselves to training," said Holi. "No one has been or wants to miss any sessions and that's a sign of a group of players that really want to play and succeed."

Training for the Pacific Island nation has involved a combination of match practice and fitness training such as running up and down hills and swimming.

The team selected has a nice balance of experience and youth with five players set to make their international debut including 15-year-old Lea Songoimoli Tenisi who Holi believes may be a wildcard for his team.

"I'm very excited about him (Tenisi) because he is a real up and coming bowler who I think will cause the opposition lots of problems."

Tonga will play their first match against the Cook Islands on 4 April.