Tahiti national football team

The Tahiti national football team (French: Équipe nationale 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.

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Tahiti women's national football team.

Tahiti
Nickname(s)Toa Aito (Les guerriers de fer; Iron Warriors)
AssociationTahitian Football Federation
ConfederationOFC (Oceania)
Head coachSamuel Garcia[1]
CaptainStanley Atani
Most capsAngelo Tchen (34)
Top scorerTeaonui Tehau (24)
Home stadiumStade Pater Te Hono Nui
FIFA codeTAH
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 161 (10 December 2020)[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
Confederations Cup
Appearances1 (first in 2013)
Best resultGroup stage, 2013

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 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.[8]

2013 Confederations Cup

By winning the 2012 OFC Nations Cup, Tahiti qualified for the 2013 Confederations Cup, held in Brazil, for the first time.[9] 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.[10] On 20 June, Tahiti lost 10–0 against Spain to equal their largest ever loss against New Zealand nine years earlier.[11] On 23 June 2013, Tahiti was beaten 8–0 by Uruguay.[12]

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.[13] 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.[14] 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.[15]

17 June 2013 Tahiti  1–6  Nigeria Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte
16:00 J. Tehau  54' Report Vallar  5' (o.g.)
Oduamadi  10', 26', 76'
J. Tehau  69' (o.g.)
Echiéjilé  80'		 Attendance: 20,187
Referee: Joel Aguilar (El Salvador)
20 June 2013 Spain  10–0  Tahiti Estádio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro
16:00 Torres  5', 33', 57', 78'
Silva  31', 89'
Villa  39', 49', 64'
Mata  66'		 Report Attendance: 71,806
Referee: Djamel Haimoudi (Algeria)
23 June 2013 Uruguay  8–0  Tahiti Arena Pernambuco, Recife
16:00 Hernández  2', 24', 45+1', 67' (pen.)
Pérez  27'
Lodeiro  61'
Suárez  82', 90'		 Report Attendance: 22,047
Referee: Pedro Proença (Portugal)

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

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 To be determined To be determined
2026
Total 0/21 43 17 7 19 65 81

Fixtures and results
Main articles: Tahiti national football team 2000–19 results, Tahiti national football team 1980–99 results, and Tahiti national football team 1952–79 results

2021
Main article: 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification (OFC)

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualification.[16]

Caps and goals updated as of 18 July 2019 after the game against American Samoa.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Teave Teamotuaitau (1992-04-17) 17 April 1992 7 0 Vénus Mahina
16 1GK Benjamin Tardivel (1987-12-03) 3 December 1987 1 0 A.S. Dragon
2DF Viritua Tiaiho (1992-01-23) 23 January 1992 2 0 Tefana
2DF Victor Snow (1991-10-27) 27 October 1991 0 0 A.S. Dragon
2DF Hennel Tehaamoana (1999-04-12) 12 April 1999 0 0 A.S. Dragon
2DF François Hapipi (1999-03-10) 10 March 1999 0 0 Mérignac-Arlac
2 2DF Farearii Tuteina (1998-05-12) 12 May 1998 4 0 Tefana
4 2DF Jean-Claude Paraue (1989-05-24) 24 May 1989 5 0 Vénus Mahina
6 2DF Tefai Faehau (1988-02-26) 26 February 1988 4 0 Vénus Mahina
7 2DF Marama Amau (1991-01-13) 13 January 1991 10 0 Vénus Mahina
15 2DF Matatia Paama (1992-10-03) 3 October 1992 9 0 Manu Ura
20 2DF Rico Haring (1997-07-07) 7 July 1997 7 0 Tiare Tahiti
3MF Terai Bremond (2001-05-16) 16 May 2001 0 0 Toulouse
3MF Tauhiti Keck (1994-08-01) 1 August 1994 6 2 Vénus Mahina
3MF François Decoret 0 0 Taravao
3MF Gervais Chan Kat (1993-12-16) 16 December 1993 1 0 Pirae
3MF Yann Pannequin Lebras (1994-01-10) 10 January 1994 0 0 Vénus Mahina
2DF Heirauarii Salem (1998-04-28) 28 April 1998 0 0 Pirae
3MF Benoit Mathon (1989-04-05) 5 April 1989 0 0 Tefana
3 3MF Kevin Barbe (1997-09-02) 2 September 1997 7 1 Vénus Mahina
8 3MF Rooarii Roo (1989-12-11) 11 December 1989 6 1 Manu-Ura
13 3MF Stanley Atani (captain) (1990-01-27) 27 January 1990 21 5 Vénus Mahina
14 3MF Tamatoa Tetauira (1996-04-17) 17 April 1996 11 5 Vénus
4FW Roonui Tehau (1999-12-15) 15 December 1999 0 0 A.S. Dragon
2DF Roonui Tinirauarii (1997-03-14) 14 March 1997 0 0 Pirae
2DF Rainui Tze Yu (1992-02-26) 26 February 1992 2 0 A.S. Dragon
4FW Abdel Kader Lazreg (1995-03-29) 29 March 1995 0 0 Lelanois
4FW Manarii Porlier (1989-12-01) 1 December 1989 4 0 Tiare Tahiti
10 4FW Teaonui Tehau (1992-09-01) 1 September 1992 31 24 Vénus Mahina

List of coaches

See also

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. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  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. "Glorious Tahiti claim maiden Oceania crown". FIFA.com. FIFA. 10 June 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  9. "Proud Tahiti No1 aims to enjoy Brazil challenge". FIFA.com. FIFA. 14 March 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  10. "Nigeria 6−1 Tahiti". BBC Sport. BBC. 17 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  11. "Spain 10−0 Tahiti". BBC Sport. BBC. 20 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  12. "Uruguay 8−0 Tahiti". BBC Sport. BBC. 23 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  13. "FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 - Statistics - Teams - Top goals". FIFA.com. FIFA. 1 July 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  14. "Técnico confirma 'carisma' do Taiti e cumprimenta jornalistas na despedida". UOL Esporte (in Portuguese). 23 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  15. "Nada de pancadaria: 'fair play' do Taiti em goleada arranca elogios da Fúria". Globo Esporte (in Portuguese). 21 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  16. https://www.ftf.pf/selection-a-convocation-aux-prochains-regroupements/
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