Tahiti national football team
![]() | |||
Nickname(s) | Toa Aito (Les guerriers de fer; Iron Warriors) | ||
---|---|---|---|
Association | Tahitian Football Federation | ||
Confederation | OFC (Oceania) | ||
Head coach | Samuel Garcia[1] | ||
Captain | Teaonui Tehau | ||
Most caps | Angelo Tchen (34) | ||
Top scorer | Teaonui Tehau (24) | ||
Home stadium | Stade Pater Te Hono Nui | ||
FIFA code | TAH | ||
| |||
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 | 9 (first in 1973) | ||
Best result | Winners, 2012 | ||
FIFA Confederations Cup | |||
Appearances | 1 (first in 2013) | ||
Best result | Group stage, 2013 |
The Tahiti 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.
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.[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
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.[10]
2013 Confederations Cup
By 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 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.[12] On 20 June, Tahiti lost 10–0 against Spain to equal their largest ever loss 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 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.[18]
Team image
Kit sponsorship
Kit lier | Period |
---|---|
![]() |
2000–2002 |
![]() |
2004–2012 |
![]() |
2013–2021 |
![]() |
2021– |
Fixtures and results
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 | ![]() | Cognac, France |
Stadium: Stade Claude Boué |
8 March Unofficial Friendly | Tahiti ![]() | 0–0 | ![]() | Toulouse, France |
Stadium: Stadium de Toulouse |
17 March 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification | Tahiti ![]() | Cancelled[note 1] | ![]() | 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] | ![]() | Doha, Qatar |
17:00 UTC+3 | Stadium: Al Arabi Stadium |
24 March 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification | Solomon Islands ![]() | 3–1 | ![]() | Doha, Qatar |
20:00 UTC+3 | Lea'i ![]() |
Tehau ![]() |
Stadium: Al Arabi Stadium |
27 March 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification | New Zealand ![]() | 1–0 | ![]() | Doha, Qatar |
20:30 UTC+3 |
|
Stadium: Al Arabi Stadium |
Coaching history
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)
Samuel Garcia (2018-present)
Players
Current squad
The following players were called up for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches in March 2022.[20]
Caps and goals updated as of 27 March 2022, after the game against New Zealand.
Player records
- As of 27 March 2022[21]
- Players in bold are still active with Tahiti.
Most capped players
|
Top goalscorers
|
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 | |||||||||||||
![]() |
Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 8 | ||||||||
![]() |
4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 12 | |||||||||
![]() ![]() |
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 6 | |||||||||
![]() |
9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 25 | |||||||||
![]() |
4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | |||||||||
![]() |
11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 22 | 17 | |||||||||
![]() |
7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 7 | |||||||||
![]() |
2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | |||||||||
![]() ![]() ![]() |
To be determined | To be determined | |||||||||||||
Total | 0/22 | 45 | 17 | 7 | 21 | 67 | 85 |
FIFA Confederations Cup
|
OFC Nations Cup
|
Pacific Games
|
Polynesia Cup
Coupe de l'Outre-Mer
|
Head-to-head record
See also
Notes
References
- ^ "Sélection de Tahiti: Samuel Garcia est le nouvel entreineur". Fedération Tahitienne de Football. FTF. 21 May 2018. 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. 11 September 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ "Trophies in paradise". The Football Ramble. 2 October 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
- ^ "Tahiti ready for Confederations Cup". The Scotsman. 9 June 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
- ^ "IN THE LAND OF GIANTS – Tahiti set for Confederations Cup adventure". Football Republik. 14 June 2013. 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. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
- ^ "England's matches: unofficial 1946 onwards". England Football Online. 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. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ^ "Spain 10−0 Tahiti". BBC Sport. BBC. 20 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ^ "Uruguay 8−0 Tahiti". BBC Sport. BBC. 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. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ^ "Nada de pancadaria: 'fair play' do Taiti em goleada arranca elogios da Fúria". Globo Esporte (in Portuguese). 21 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ^ "Qatar 2022 : Tahiti s'incline 3-1 face à Salomon". TNTV News. TNTV. 24 March 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ "Statement on Tahiti v Vanuatu match". 17 March 2022.
- ^ "Coupe du Monde de la FIFA, Qatar 2022™ : Découvrez la liste officielle des joueurs sélectionnés !". 18 February 2022.
- ^ "Tahiti". National Football Teams.