Tahiti national football team

Tahiti
Nickname(s)Toa Aito (Les guerriers de fer; Iron Warriors)
AssociationTahitian Football Federation
ConfederationOFC (Oceania)
Head coachSamuel Garcia[1]
CaptainTeaonui Tehau
Most capsAngelo Tchen (34)
Top scorerTeaonui Tehau (24)
Home stadiumStade Pater Te Hono Nui
FIFA codeTAH
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 164 5 (31 March 2022)[2]
Highest111 (August 2002)
Lowest196 (April–May 2016)
First international
 French Polynesia 2–2 New Zealand 
(Papeete, Tahiti; 21 September 1952)
Biggest win
 Tahiti 30–0 Cook Islands 
(Papeete, Tahiti; 2 September 1971)
Biggest defeat
 New Zealand 10–0 Tahiti 
(Adelaide, Australia; 4 June 2004)
 Spain 10–0 Tahiti 
(Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 20 June 2013)
OFC Nations Cup
Appearances9 (first in 1973)
Best resultWinners, 2012
FIFA Confederations Cup
Appearances1 (first in 2013)
Best resultGroup stage, 2013
This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Tahiti women's national football team.

The Tahiti national football team (French: Équipe de football de Tahiti) represents French Polynesia[3][4][5][6] and is controlled by the Fédération Tahitienne de Football. The team consists of a selection of players from French Polynesia, not just Tahiti, and has competed in the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) since 1990.

Tahiti is traditionally one of the stronger footballing nations of the Pacific Islands, with the second-best record at the football section of the South Pacific Games, with five victories. They were runners-up in the first three instalments of the Nations Cup (1973, 1980 and 1996). The nation went through a period of less success, but showed promise when it qualified for the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt. This success was followed up with the title of 2012 OFC Nations Cup, becoming the first team other than Australia and New Zealand to win the competition.

History

Tahiti played its first full match on 21 September 1952, at home against New Zealand, drawing 2–2. Seven days later, the two teams played again and New Zealand won 5–3. On 30 September, they played each other for a third time, and Tahiti gained its first victory, by 2–0. However, it is unknown whether this was a full international match.[7]

In September 1953, Tahiti played three matches in New Caledonia against its national side, losing the first 5–0 and the later two 4–1. They then travelled to the New Hebrides (now Vanuatu) and beat its national side 4–2 twice. In 1969, touring World Champions England beat Tahiti 4–1 in an exhibition match.[8] In 1989, under the leadership of Napoleon Spitz, the official federation was created.

Tahiti entered its first World Cup qualification with the aim of reaching the 1994 World Cup, held in the United States. They were placed in Group A alongside Australia and the Solomon Islands, and played their first match away to the Solomon Islands in Honiara on 11 July 1992. Eric Etaeta equalised for Tahiti to make it 1–1 in the 76th minute. On 11 September, Tahiti hosted Australia in Papeete and lost 3–0. The next fixture was again against Australia, and resulted in a 2–0 away defeat in Brisbane on 20 September. On 9 October, in Papeete, Tahiti defeated the Solomon Islands 4–2. Tahiti's first goal was scored as an 8th-minute penalty from Reynald Temarii, a politician and current president of the OFC. However, Tahiti finished second to Australia in the group and did not advance.

2012 OFC Nations Cup

In 2012, the new edition of the tournament occurred in the Solomon Islands with the host country, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Tahiti, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Samoa (winner of the qualifying tournament) playing the competition. Tahiti defeated New Caledonia in the final in Lawson Tama Stadium 1–0 with a goal by Steevy Chong Hue and became the first team other than Australia (no longer part of OFC) and New Zealand to be crowned Oceania champions.[9]

2013 Confederations Cup

By winning the 2012 OFC Nations Cup, Tahiti qualified for the 2013 Confederations Cup, held in Brazil, for the first time.[10] Tahiti is the first – and so far only – team which has participated in the Confederations Cup but has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup. On 17 June 2013, Tahiti lost 1–6 to Nigeria in the 2013 Confederations Cup in Belo Horizonte, with Jonathan Tehau scoring the goal for Tahiti in the second half with a header from a corner; Tahiti fans still rejoiced in the prospect of scoring a goal in an international tournament.[11] On 20 June, Tahiti lost 10–0 against Spain to equal their largest ever loss against New Zealand nine years earlier.[12] On 23 June 2013, Tahiti was beaten 8–0 by Uruguay.[13]

In all, Tahiti conceded 24 goals and scored 1 to end with a goal differential of −23, the worst of any national team in any major competition.[14] However, even with the poor record and heavy defeats, Tahiti's underdog qualities gathered significant respect from the people of Brazil, who always cheered for them in every match.[15] Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque, and strikers Fernando Torres and David Villa – who scored four and three goals respectively against Tahiti – complimented the team's fair play.[16]

2022 FIFA World Cup qualification (OFC)

After two matches canceled due to Covid-19, the Tahitians have finally returned to the qualifying tournament for the World Cup in Qatar. Unfortunately, the Toa Aito couldn't beat Solomon Islands and finished second in Group A. Solomon Islands led in the score in the 20th minute, the Tahitians came back into the match thanks to Alvin Tehau's equalizer in the 26th minute. Solomon Islands then made the difference on the return from the half on a lightning counterattack before taking the lead more widely at the end of the match 1-3.[17]

Team image

Kit sponsorship
Kit lier Period
Adidas2000–2002
Lotto2004–2012
Nike2013–2021
Macron2021–

Fixtures and results
See also: Tahiti national football team results (2000–present)

In March 2022, Tahiti will play their first matches since they took part in the 2019 Pacific Games.

2022
26 February Unofficial Friendly Tahiti  3–4 UA Cognac Cognac, France
Stadium: Stade Claude Boué
8 March Unofficial Friendly Tahiti  0–0 Occitania Toulouse, France
Stadium: Stadium de Toulouse
17 March 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Tahiti  Cancelled[note 1]  Vanuatu Doha, Qatar
20:00 UTC+3 Report Stadium: Al Arabi Stadium
Referee: Matthew Conger (New Zealand)
20 March 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Cook Islands  Cancelled[note 2]  Tahiti Doha, Qatar
17:00 UTC+3 Stadium: Al Arabi Stadium
24 March 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Solomon Islands  3–1  Tahiti Doha, Qatar
20:00 UTC+3 Lea'i 20', 52', 90+5' Tehau 26' Stadium: Al Arabi Stadium
27 March 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification New Zealand  1–0  Tahiti Doha, Qatar
20:30 UTC+3
Stadium: Al Arabi Stadium

Coaching history

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches in March 2022.[19]

Caps and goals updated as of 27 March 2022, after the game against New Zealand.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Teave Teamotuaitau (1992-04-17) 17 April 1992 9 0 Vénus Mahina
1GK Anapa Debruyne (2003-09-22) 22 September 2003 0 0 Vénus Mahina
1GK François Decoret 0 0 Pueu
2DF Alvin Tehau (1989-04-10) 10 April 1989 24 9 Pirae
2DF Tamatoa Tetauira (1996-04-17) 17 April 1996 11 5 AF Muespach
2DF Matatia Paama (1992-10-03) 3 October 1992 11 0 Pirae
2DF Kévin Barbe (1997-09-02) 2 September 1997 8 1 Vénus Mahina
2DF Jean-Claude Paraue (1989-05-24) 24 May 1989 5 0 Vénus Mahina
2DF Viritua Tiaiho (1992-01-23) 23 January 1992 2 0 Tefana
2DF François Hapipi (1999-03-10) 10 March 1999 2 0 NK Urania Baška Voda
2DF Mauri Heitaa (1999-07-31) 31 July 1999 1 0 Vénus Mahina
3MF Heimano Bourebare (1989-05-15) 15 May 1989 27 1 Pirae
3MF Raimana Li Fung Kuee (1985-04-10) 10 April 1985 9 2 A.S. Dragon
3MF Tauhiti Keck (1994-08-01) 1 August 1994 8 2 Vénus Mahina
3MF Roonui Tehau (1999-12-15) 15 December 1999 2 0 Vénus Mahina
3MF Terai Bremond (2001-05-16) 16 May 2001 2 0 Vénus Mahina
3MF Gervais Chan Kat (1993-12-16) 16 December 1993 1 0 A.S. Dragon
3MF Yann Pennequin Lebras (1994-01-10) 10 January 1994 1 0 Vénus Mahina
4FW Teaonui Tehau (captain) (1992-09-01) 1 September 1992 33 24 Vénus Mahina
4FW Rainui Tze Yu (1992-02-26) 26 February 1992 2 0 A.S. Dragon
4FW Eddy Kaspard (2001-05-27) 27 May 2001 2 0 Trélissac
4FW Roonui Tinirauarii (1997-03-14) 14 March 1997 1 0 Pirae
4FW Tutehau Tufariua (2000-01-31) 31 January 2000 0 0 Cherbourg

Player records
As of 27 March 2022[20]
Players in bold are still active with Tahiti.

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Result Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1954 Did not exist Did not exist
1958 to 1990 Did not enter Did not enter
1994 Did not qualify 4 1 1 2 5 8
1998 4 0 1 3 2 12
2002 4 3 0 1 14 6
2006 9 3 2 4 7 25
2010 4 1 1 2 2 6
2014 11 6 0 5 22 17
2018 7 3 2 2 14 7
2022 200214
2026 To be determined To be determined
Total 0/22 45 17 7 21 67 85

FIFA Confederations Cup
FIFA Confederations Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA
1992 to 1995 No OFC representative invited
1997 to 2009 Did not qualify
2013 Group stage8th3003124
2017 Did not qualify
TotalGroup stage1/103003124

OFC Nations Cup
OFC Nations Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1973 Runners-up2nd522174 No qualification
1980 Runners-up2nd4301239
1996 Runners-up2nd4202312 3 3 0 0 10 1
1998 Fourth place4th4103810 4 4 0 0 27 1
2000 Group stage5th200225 Qualified as host
2002 Third place3rd530289 Qualified automatically
2004 Group stage5th5113224 4 2 2 0 5 1
2008 Did not qualify 4 1 1 2 2 6
2012 Champions1st5500205 Qualified automatically
2016 Group stage5th312073
2020 Cancelled Cancelled
Total1 Title9/1037185148081 15 10 3 2 44 9

Head-to-head record
Main article: Tahiti national football team records and statistics

See also

Notes
  1. On 17 March 2022, it was announced that the match between Tahiti and Vanuatu was cancelled due to COVID-19 outbreaks in the Vanuatu squad[18]
  2. On 19 March 2022, the Cook Islands–Tahiti match was cancelled due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the Cook Islands squad.

References
  1. "Sélection de Tahiti: Samuel Garcia est le nouvel entreineur". Fedération Tahitienne de Football. FTF. 21 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  2. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  3. "Trophies in paradise". The Football Ramble. 2 October 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  4. "Tahiti ready for Confederations Cup". The Scotsman. 9 June 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  5. "IN THE LAND OF GIANTS – Tahiti set for Confederations Cup adventure". Football Republik. 14 June 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  6. "Tahiti national football team". Road To Brazil. Archived from the original on 5 July 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  7. "Tahiti International Matches". Rsssf.com. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  8. "England's matches: unofficial 1946 onwards". England Football Online. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  9. "Glorious Tahiti claim maiden Oceania crown". FIFA.com. FIFA. 10 June 2012. Archived from the original on 15 June 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  10. "Proud Tahiti No1 aims to enjoy Brazil challenge". FIFA.com. FIFA. 14 March 2013. Archived from the original on 17 March 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  11. "Nigeria 6−1 Tahiti". BBC Sport. BBC. 17 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  12. "Spain 10−0 Tahiti". BBC Sport. BBC. 20 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  13. "Uruguay 8−0 Tahiti". BBC Sport. BBC. 23 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  14. "FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 - Statistics - Teams - Top goals". FIFA.com. FIFA. 1 July 2013. Archived from the original on 22 September 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  15. "Técnico confirma 'carisma' do Taiti e cumprimenta jornalistas na despedida". UOL Esporte (in Portuguese). 23 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  16. "Nada de pancadaria: 'fair play' do Taiti em goleada arranca elogios da Fúria". Globo Esporte (in Portuguese). 21 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  17. "Qatar 2022 : Tahiti s'incline 3-1 face à Salomon". TNTV News. TNTV. 24 March 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
  18. "Statement on Tahiti v Vanuatu match". 17 March 2022.
  19. "Coupe du Monde de la FIFA, Qatar 2022™ : Découvrez la liste officielle des joueurs sélectionnés !". 18 February 2022.
  20. "Tahiti". National Football Teams.
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