Tahiti_national_football_team

Tahiti national football team

Tahiti national football team

Men's football team representing French Polynesia

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

The Tahiti men's 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.

Quick Facts Nickname(s), Association ...

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, following the tournament's abolition, only – team which 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]

Rivalries

A historical sporting rivalry exists between the two French Pacific overseas collectivities, Tahiti and New Caledonia. They compete regularly in regional and, since 2006, international competitions. In 2012, Tahiti led the number of titles won (1 Oceania Nations Cup, 5 gold medals at the South Pacific Games, 2 at the South Pacific mini-games, against 6 gold at the South Pacific Games for New Caledonia). As of their last match in 2018, out of the 62 matches played since 1953, the New Caledonia has 28 wins against 25 for Tahiti and 9 draws.[18]

Team image

Kit sponsorship

More information Kit lier, Period ...

Results and fixtures

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

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2023

20 March Friendly Tahiti  0–2  New Caledonia Pirae, Tahiti
20:00 UTC−10 Report
  • Makalu 69'
  • Rokuad 88'
 Stadium: Stade Pater Te Hono Nui
23 March Friendly Tahiti  2–1  New Caledonia Pirae, Tahiti
  • Tinirauarii 30', 76'
  • Makalu 33'
 Stadium: Stade Pater Te Hono Nui
28 August Friendly Tahiti  9–1  Cook Islands Pirae, Tahiti
20:00 UTC−10
Report
  • Enoka 74'
 Stadium: Stade Pater Te Hono Nui
31 August Friendly Cook Islands  0–3  Tahiti Pirae, Tahiti
20:00 UTC−10 Report
Stadium: Stade Pater Te Hono Nui

2024

16 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup Tahiti  v  Samoa Luganville, Vanuatu
Stadium: Luganville Soccer Stadium
19 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup Papua New Guinea  v  Tahiti Luganville, Vanuatu
Stadium: Luganville Soccer Stadium
22 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup Fiji  v  Tahiti Luganville, Vanuatu
Stadium: Luganville Soccer Stadium

Coaching history

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2023 Pacific Games.[19]

Caps and goals correct as of 1 September 2023, after the match against  Cook Islands.

More information No., Pos. ...

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up to the Tahiti squad within the last twelve months.

More information Pos., Player ...

Player records

As of 30 November 2023[20]
Players in bold are still active with Tahiti.
More information Rank, Name ...

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

More information FIFA World Cup, FIFA World Cup qualification ...

FIFA Confederations Cup

More information FIFA Confederations Cup record, Year ...

OFC Nations Cup

More information Oceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record, Qualification record ...
More information Pacific Games record, Year ...

Head-to-head record

Main article: Tahiti national football team records and statistics

Honours

Historical kits

1984 Home
1987 Home
1990 Home
2000 Home
2002 Home
2004 Home
2007 Home
2011 Home
2011 Away
2012 Home
2012 Home
2012 Away
2013 Home
2013 Away
2016 Home
2016 Away
2022 Home
2022 Away

Sources:[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30]

See also

Notes

    References

    1. [1]
      "Sélection de Tahiti: Samuel Garcia est le nouvel entreineur". Fedération Tahitienne de Football. FTF. 21 May 2018. Archived from the original on 29 May 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
    2. [2]
      "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
    3. [3]
      "Trophies in paradise". The Football Ramble. 2 October 2012. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
    4. [4]
      "Tahiti ready for Confederations Cup". The Scotsman. 9 June 2013. Archived from the original on 3 February 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
    5. [5]
      "IN THE LAND OF GIANTS – Tahiti set for Confederations Cup adventure". Football Republik. 14 June 2013. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
    6. [6]
      "Tahiti national football team". Road To Brazil. Archived from the original on 5 July 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
    7. [7]
      "Tahiti International Matches". Rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 9 August 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
    8. [8]
      "England's matches: unofficial 1946 onwards". England Football Online. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
    9. [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. [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. [11]
      "Nigeria 6−1 Tahiti". BBC Sport. BBC. 17 June 2013. Archived from the original on 23 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
    12. [12]
      "Spain 10−0 Tahiti". BBC Sport. BBC. 20 June 2013. Archived from the original on 23 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
    13. [13]
      "Uruguay 8−0 Tahiti". BBC Sport. BBC. 23 June 2013. Archived from the original on 23 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
    14. [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. [15]
      "Técnico confirma 'carisma' do Taiti e cumprimenta jornalistas na despedida". UOL Esporte (in Portuguese). 23 June 2013. Archived from the original on 25 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
    16. [16]
      "Nada de pancadaria: 'fair play' do Taiti em goleada arranca elogios da Fúria". Globo Esporte (in Portuguese). 21 June 2013. Archived from the original on 24 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
    17. [17]
      "Qatar 2022 : Tahiti s'incline 3-1 face à Salomon". TNTV News. TNTV. 24 March 2022. Archived from the original on 24 March 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
    18. [18]
      "New Caledonia". Footballdatabase.eu. Archived from the original on 1 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
    19. [19]
      "Final Squad". Facebook. Federation Tahitienne de Football.
    20. [20]
      "Tahiti". National Football Teams.
    21. [21]
      "FOOTBALL IN TAHITI".
    22. [22]
      "2000".
    23. [23]
      "2002".
    24. [24]
      "2004".
    25. [25]
      "2007".
    26. [26]
      "2012 (OFC Nations Cup edition)".
    27. [27]
      "2012".
    28. [28]
      "2012".
    29. [29]
      "2022 Home".
    30. [30]
      "2022 Away".
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