The Tahiti men's national football team (French: Équipe de football de Tahiti) represents French Polynesia[4][5][6][7] 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.
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Nickname(s) | Toa Aito (Les guerriers de fer; Iron Warriors) | ||
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Association | Tahitian Football Federation | ||
Confederation | OFC (Oceania) | ||
Head coach | Samuel Garcia[1] | ||
Captain | Teaonui Tehau | ||
Most caps | Teaonui Tehau (45) | ||
Top scorer | Teaonui Tehau (30) | ||
Home stadium | Stade Pater Te Hono Nui | ||
FIFA code | TAH | ||
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FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 158 ![]() | ||
Highest | 111 (August 2002) | ||
Lowest | 196 (April–May 2016) | ||
First international | |||
![]() ![]() (Papeete, Tahiti; 21 September 1952) | |||
Biggest win | |||
![]() ![]() (Papeete, Tahiti; 2 September 1971) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
![]() ![]() (Adelaide, Australia; 4 June 2004) ![]() ![]() (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 20 June 2013) | |||
OFC Nations Cup | |||
Appearances | 10 (first in 1973) | ||
Best result | Champions (2012) | ||
FIFA Confederations Cup | |||
Appearances | 1 (first in 2013) | ||
Best result | Group 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. Tahiti thus qualified to the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup held in Brazil.
History
editTahiti 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.[8]
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.[9] 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
editIn 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.[10]
2013 Confederations Cup
editBy winning the 2012 OFC Nations Cup, Tahiti qualified for the 2013 Confederations Cup, held in Brazil, for the first time.[11] 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.[12] On 20 June, Tahiti lost 10–0 against Spain to equal their largest ever lost against New Zealand nine years earlier.[13] On 23 June 2013, Tahiti was beaten 8–0 by Uruguay.[14]
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.[15] 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.[16] 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.[17]
After two matches canceled due to COVID-19, the Tahitians returned to the qualifying tournament for the World Cup in Qatar. The Toa Aito lost to Solomon Islands and finished second in Group A. Solomon Islands led in the score in the 20th minute, the Tahitians equalized the score when Alvin Tehau scored 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.[18]
Rivalries
editA 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.[19]
Team image
editKit sponsorship
editKit lier | Period |
---|---|
Adidas | 2000–2003 |
Lotto | 2004–2012 |
Nike | 2013–2021 |
Macron | 2022–2023 |
Puma | 2024–present |
Results and fixtures
editThe 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
edit28 August Friendly | Tahiti | 9–1 | Cook Islands | Pirae, Tahiti |
20:00 UTC−10 | Report |
|
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 |
21 November 2023 Pacific Games GS | Fiji | 0–0 | Tahiti | Honiara, Solomon Islands |
19:00 UTC+11 | Stadium: SIFF Academy Field Referee: Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh (New Zealand) |
24 November 2023 Pacific Games GS | Northern Mariana Islands | 0–5 | Tahiti | Honiara, Solomon Islands |
19:00 UTC+11 |
|
Stadium: SIFF Academy Field Referee: Timothy Niu (Solomon Islands) |
27 November 2023 Pacific Games 5th–8th placement | Tahiti | 2–1 | Samoa | Honiara, Solomon Islands |
16:00 UTC+11 |
|
|
Stadium: SIFF Academy Field Referee: David Yaraboinen (Papua New Guinea) |
30 November 2023 Pacific Games 5th–8th placement | Tahiti | 2–0 | Papua New Guinea | Honiara, Solomon Islands |
19:00 UTC+11 |
|
Stadium: SIFF Academy Field Referee: Kavitesh Behari (Fiji) |
2024
edit16 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup | Tahiti | 2–0 | Samoa | Suva, Fiji |
Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium |
19 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup | Papua New Guinea | 1–1 | Tahiti | Suva, Fiji |
Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium |
22 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup | Fiji | 1–0 | Tahiti | Suva, Fiji |
Stadium: HFC Bank Stadium |
27 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup SF | New Zealand | 5–0 | Tahiti | Port Vila, Vanuatu |
Report | Stadium: Freshwater Stadium |
30 June 2024 OFC Nations Cup 3rd | Tahiti | 2–1 | Fiji | Port Vila, Vanuatu |
Stadium: Freshwater Stadium |
Coaching history
edit- Freddy Vernaudon (1973)
- Richard Vansam (1980)
- François Ferez (1992)
- Bernard Vahirua (1992)
- Umberto Mottini (1995–1996)
- Gerard Kautai (1996)
- Richard Vansam (1997)
- Alain Rousseau (1998)
- Leon Gardikiotis (1999–2000)
- Patrick Jacquemet (2001–2003)
- Gerard Kautai (2004–2007)
- Eddy Etaeta (2010–2015)
- Ludovic Graugnard (2015–2018)
- Naea Bennett (2018–2019)
- Samuel Garcia (2019–present)
Players
editCurrent squad
editThe following players were called up for the 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup.[20]
Caps and goals correct as of 30 June 2024, after the match against Fiji.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Teave Teamotuaitau | 17 April 1992 | 18 | 0 | Tefana | |
GK | François Decoret | 10 March 1999 | 3 | 0 | Pirae | |
GK | Tevaearai Tamatai | 15 January 2001 | 0 | 0 | Vénus | |
DF | Matatia Paama | 3 October 1992 | 18 | 1 | Pirae | |
DF | Kévin Barbe | 2 September 1997 | 15 | 1 | Vénus | |
DF | Taumihau Tiatia | 25 July 1991 | 11 | 0 | Pirae | |
DF | Téva Lossec | 3 December 2002 | 9 | 1 | Campbell Fighting Camels | |
DF | Mauri Heitaa | 31 July 1999 | 7 | 0 | Vénus | |
DF | Rainui Aroita | 25 January 1994 | 4 | 0 | Tamarii Faa'a | |
DF | Pothin Poma | 13 February 1997 | 3 | 0 | Vénus | |
DF | Haumau Tanetoa | 18 November 2004 | 3 | 0 | Pirae | |
MF | Alvin Tehau | 10 April 1989 | 27 | 9 | Pirae | |
MF | Tauhiti Keck | 1 August 1994 | 18 | 6 | Vénus | |
MF | Frank Papaura | 6 April 2005 | 10 | 0 | Pueu | |
MF | Matéo Degrumelle | 22 August 2003 | 9 | 3 | Le Havre | |
MF | Terai Bremond | 16 May 2001 | 8 | 0 | Vénus | |
MF | Manuarii Shan | 23 February 2004 | 8 | 0 | Vénus | |
FW | Teaonui Tehau | 1 September 1992 | 45 | 30 | Vénus | |
FW | Eddy Kaspard | 27 May 2001 | 11 | 3 | Tefana | |
FW | Roonui Tinirauarii | 14 March 1997 | 10 | 5 | Dragon | |
FW | Ariiura Labaste | 26 July 2002 | 5 | 0 | Pirae |
Recent call-ups
editThe following players have been called up to the Tahiti squad within the last twelve months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Moana Pito | 25 January 2000 | 3 | 0 | Tefana | 2023 Pacific Games |
DF | Marama Amau | 13 January 1991 | 13 | 0 | Vénus | 2023 Pacific Games |
DF | François Hapipi | 10 March 1999 | 7 | 0 | Tefana | 2023 Pacific Games |
DF | Keanu Vernaudon | 18 October 2002 | 2 | 0 | Tefana | 2023 Pacific Games |
MF | Roonui Tehau | 15 December 1999 | 8 | 1 | Vénus | 2023 Pacific Games |
MF | Honoura Maraetefau | 27 July 2002 | 5 | 0 | Tefana | 2023 Pacific Games |
MF | Kavai'ei Morgant | 8 October 2001 | 4 | 1 | Tefana | 2023 Pacific Games |
MF | Paolo Hausner | 21 February 2002 | 2 | 0 | Saint-Méziéry | 2023 Pacific Games |
MF | Louis Gitton | 2 April 2002 | 5 | 1 | Pirae | v. Cook Islands; 1 September 2023 |
FW | Raimana Tetuanui | 1 January 1994 | 3 | 0 | Pueu | 2023 Pacific Games |
FW | Tauatua Lucas | 23 November 1994 | 2 | 0 | Tefana | 2023 Pacific Games |
FW | Sandro Tau | 30 April 1997 | 8 | 2 | Pirae | v. Cook Islands; 1 September 2023 |
Player records
edit- As of 30 June 2024[21]
- Players in bold are still active with Tahiti.
Most appearances
editRank | Player | Caps | Goals | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Teaonui Tehau | 44 | 30 | 2011–present |
2 | Angelo Tchen | 34 | 1 | 2001–2018 |
3 | Heimano Bourebare | 30 | 1 | 2011–present |
4 | Steevy Chong Hue | 28 | 8 | 2010–2016 |
Xavier Samin | 0 | 2001–2013 | ||
6 | Alvin Tehau | 26 | 9 | 2010–present |
7 | Jonathan Tehau | 25 | 5 | 2011–2017 |
Vincent Simon | 1 | 2004–2016 | ||
9 | Felix Tagawa | 22 | 14 | 2000–2004 |
10 | Stanley Atani | 21 | 5 | 2010–2019 |
Top goalscorers
editRank | Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio | Career |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Teaonui Tehau | 30 | 44 | 0.68 | 2011–present |
2 | Felix Tagawa | 14 | 22 | 0.64 | 2000–2004 |
3 | Naea Bennett | 12 | 16 | 0.75 | 1996–2010 |
4 | Alvin Tehau | 9 | 26 | 0.35 | 2010–present |
5 | Steevy Chong Hue | 8 | 28 | 0.29 | 2010–2016 |
6 | Lorenzo Tehau | 7 | 20 | 0.35 | 2010–2017 |
7 | Tamatoa Tetauira | 5 | 11 | 0.45 | 2016–present |
Hiro Poroiae | 5 | 12 | 0.42 | 2007–2013 | |
Stanley Atani | 5 | 21 | 0.24 | 2010–2019 | |
Jonathan Tehau | 5 | 25 | 0.2 | 2011–2017 |
Competitive record
editFIFA World Cup
editFIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Host | 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 | Not a FIFA member | Not a FIFA member | ||||||||||||||
1994 | United States | Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 8 | ||||||||
1998 | France | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 12 | |||||||||
2002 | South Korea Japan |
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 6 | |||||||||
2006 | Germany | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 25 | |||||||||
2010 | South Africa | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | |||||||||
2014 | Brazil | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 20 | 17 | |||||||||
2018 | Russia | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 7 | |||||||||
2022 | Qatar | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | |||||||||
2026 | Canada Mexico United States |
To be determined | To be determined | |||||||||||||
2030 | Morocco Portugal Spain | |||||||||||||||
2034 | Saudi Arabia | |||||||||||||||
Total | 0/8 | 43 | 15 | 8 | 20 | 65 | 85 |
FIFA Confederations Cup
editFIFA 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 stage | 8th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 24 |
2017 | Did not qualify | |||||||
Total | Group stage | 1/10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 24 |
OFC Nations Cup
editOceania Cup / OFC Nations Cup record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Squad | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
1973 | Runners-up | 2nd | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 4 | Squad | No qualification | ||||||
1980 | Runners-up | 2nd | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 23 | 9 | — | |||||||
1996 | Runners-up | 2nd | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 12 | Squad | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | |
1998 | Fourth place | 4th | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 10 | Squad | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 1 | |
2000 | Group stage | 5th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | Squad | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 2 | |
2002 | Third place | 3rd | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 9 | Squad | Qualified automatically | ||||||
2004 | Group stage | 5th | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 24 | Squad | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | |
2008 | Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | |||||||||
2012 | Champions | 1st | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 5 | Squad | Qualified automatically | ||||||
2016 | Group stage | 5th | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 3 | Squad | |||||||
2024 | Third place | 3rd | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 8 | Squad | |||||||
Total | 1 Title | 10/11 | 42 | 20 | 6 | 16 | 85 | 89 | — | 19 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 74 | 11 |
Pacific Gamesedit
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Polynesia Cupedit
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Head-to-head record
editHonours
editHistorical kits
edit
1984 Home
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1987 Home
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1990 Home
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2000 Home
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2002 Home
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2004 Home
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2007 Home
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2011 Home
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2011 Away
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2012 Home
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2012 Home
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2012 Away
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2013 Home
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2013 Away
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2016 Home
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2016 Away
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2022 Home
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2022 Away
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See also
editNotes
editReferences
edit- ^ "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.
- ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 18 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
- ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ "Trophies in paradise". The Football Ramble. 2 October 2012. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
- ^ "Tahiti ready for Confederations Cup". The Scotsman. 9 June 2013. Archived from the original on 3 February 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Tahiti national football team". Road To Brazil. Archived from the original on 5 July 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
- ^ "Tahiti International Matches". Rsssf.com. Archived from the original on 9 August 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
- ^ "England's matches: unofficial 1946 onwards". England Football Online. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
- ^ "Glorious Tahiti claim maiden Oceania crown". FIFA.com. FIFA. 10 June 2012. Archived from the original on 15 June 2012. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Nigeria 6−1 Tahiti". BBC Sport. BBC. 17 June 2013. Archived from the original on 23 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ^ "Spain 10−0 Tahiti". BBC Sport. BBC. 20 June 2013. Archived from the original on 23 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ^ "Uruguay 8−0 Tahiti". BBC Sport. BBC. 23 June 2013. Archived from the original on 23 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "New Caledonia". Footballdatabase.eu. Archived from the original on 1 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- ^ "Coupe des Nations 2024 de l'OFC : Découvrez la liste officielle des joueurs sélectionnés !". Tahitian Football Federation. 6 June 2024.
- ^ "Tahiti". National Football Teams.
- ^ "FOOTBALL IN TAHITI".
- ^ "2000".
- ^ "2002".
- ^ "2004".
- ^ "2007".
- ^ "2012 (OFC Nations Cup edition)".
- ^ "2012".
- ^ "2012".
- ^ "2022 Home".
- ^ "2022 Away".
External links
edit- Official Web Site
- Tahiti at OFC
- Tahiti at FIFA