Preview | 2012 winners Tahiti looking to make more history

[ad_1]

Photo Credit: OFC Media via Phototek

Tahiti head into the OFC Men’s Nations Cup 2024 as the only side other than New Zealand or Australia to have lifted the trophy, back in 2012.

Twelve years ago in Honiara, Solomon Islands, a single goal from Steevy Chong Hue was enough to give Tahiti their biggest ever win in men’s football and seal the team’s place in history. It also helped put Tahitian football on the world map, particularly with their appearance at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup™.

Despite following that success up with a runners-up place at the 2015 Pacific Games, Tahiti have struggled in recent years – failing to advance past the group stage at the 2016 OFC Men’s Nations Cup and not placing higher than 5th in subsequent Pacific Games.

Leading the team in Fiji is Samuel Garcia, who has been Head Coach since 2019. Garcia won 19 caps for the national side and has enjoyed a successful career as a coach following his retirement, including taking AS Pirae to an OFC Men’s Champions League final in 2o14 and leading AS Vénus to the final in 2022.

Tahiti lifted the trophy in 2012 in the Solomon Islands. The only occasion that a nation other than New Zealand or Australia have won the title. With Group B shaping up to be too tough to call, Garcia is acutely aware of the challenge that lies ahead for his side.

“We have the same opponents as in the Solomon Islands that we did at the Pacific Games. These are teams we already know, and we also know that Fiji will be formidable.

“It’s a tournament we’re taking very seriously,” he said.

It’s a strong squad that will make the trip to Fiji and – performance-permitting – on to Vanuatu, with a number of experienced players being selected by Garcia.

This year’s OFC Men’s Champions League finalists AS Pirae are well represented, with goalkeeper Francois Decoret, captain Alvin Tehau and dangerous forward Ariiura Labaste all featuring in the final selection.

“We’ve got a good group, with a good cohesion of young and old to balance the group. What’s more, there are two players (Alvin and Teaonui Tehau) in the squad who have already taken part in a FIFA Confederations Cup™ before,” Garcia said of his squad.

“We played a number of warm-up matches, including one against AS Magenta, who came to Tahiti to play in the OFC Men’s Champions League last month,” he continued.

Tahiti play Samoa in their opening match of the tournament on Sunday at the HFC Bank Stadium, with a win surely vital to their hopes of advancing past the group stage, with the challenge of Papua New Guinea and then co-hosts Fiji still to come.

Tahiti squad for the OFC Men’s Nations Cup 2024

Goalkeepers

Tevaitini Tamatai Teave Teamotuaitau Francois Decoret

Defenders

Matatia Paama Haumau Tanetoa Ranui Aroita Kevin Barbe Eddy Kaspard Mauri Heitaa Pothin Poma Teva Lossec Taumihau Tiatia

Midfielders

Terai Bremond Tauhiti Keck Teaonui Tehau Franck Papaura Alvinn Tehau Manuarii Shan

Forwards

Shawn Tinirauarii Ariiura Labaste Matéo Degrumelle

[ad_1]

Source link : https://www.oceaniafootball.com/preview-2012-winners-tahiti-looking-to-make-more-history/ Author : Publish date : 2024-06-12 00:13:59 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source .

Preview | 2012 winners Tahiti looking to make more history

Oceania’s wayfinding skills

Oceania Cruises Changes Launch Date for Newest Ship, Allura

Oceania Cruises Changes Launch Date for Newest Ship, Allura

AS Tiga Sport seal OFC Men’s Champions League 2025 semi-final spot with draw against AS Pirae – Oceania Football Confederation

Indian team to play Billie Jean King Cup 2025 Asia-Oceania Group-1 from April 8 – Public TV English

Indian team to play Billie Jean King Cup 2025 Asia-Oceania Group-1 from April 8 – lokmattimes.com

News – USS Shiloh (CG 67) Returns to Home Port After Oceania Maritime Security Initiative 2025 – DVIDS

FIVB AND OLYMPIC SOLIDARITY CHAMPION YOUTH BEACH VOLLEYBALL IN OCEANIA – Asian Volleyball Confederation

7.1-magnitude quake hits New Britain Region, Papua New Guinea – Apa.az

OCEANIA CRUISES RINGS IN THE NEW YEAR WITH ULTIMATE ADDED VALUE ON MORE THAN 100 SAILINGS – Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

Mapped: Happiness Levels Across East Asia and Oceania – Visual Capitalist

Crescent Seas Adds Second Ship to Fleet – Cruise Critic

Oceania Cruises sells Insignia to residential cruise company – travelweekly.co.uk

Categories

Preview | 2012 winners Tahiti looking to make more history

Oceania’s wayfinding skills

Oceania Cruises Changes Launch Date for Newest Ship, Allura

Categories

Tags