And for Samuel Garcia’s team, the regional spotlight is something they could get used to as they look to create somewhat of a legacy in the competition and advance from Group A to their second successive semi-final.
Pirae were eliminated in the final four last year by eventual champions Auckland City FC but not before a pair of eye catching wins against the Navy Blues and their neighbours, Waitakere United, in the group stage.
The team registered a semi-final appearance in 2005, followed by a showing in the grand final against Auckland the following year. Nearly one decade later, Pirae are hoping history repeats itself.
The team has been plagued by injury in the lead-up to the 2015 tournament and carries with it a thin squad into this afternoon’s opening match against Samoan qualifiers Lupe Ole Soaga.
Garcia says that despite the inexperience of their first opponents, his side will take nothing for granted. “We still have to respect this team because it’s the first match,” he says. “And the first match is always complicated”.
“We’ve prepared well, but we’ve had a fair few issues just prior to our departure with several players who couldn’t come. But in the end, the team is here, they’re feeling good and that’s the most important thing.”
Lupe joins hosts Ba FC and New Caledonian outfit FC Gaitcha as those standing between Pirae and a second consecutive knockout appearance, but Garcia has yet to think further ahead than Saturday.
“Tomorrow is Lupe, the next match is Gaitcha, and after Gaitcha is Ba. We will be firing out of the blocks but will try to take it match by match,” he insists.
One luxury afforded to Garcia is that he can call on experienced internationals in Teaonui Tehau and Nicolas Vallar. The pair are no strangers to the big stage, as they were both members of the Tahiti national side which travelled to the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013.
The Tahitians also have in their ranks the competition experience of defender Vincent Simon and lively former Team Wellington import Roy Kayara.
Pirae’s first match against Lupe kicks off at 4:30pm at Govind Park, Ba, on Saturday.
For more on Tahiti football visit www.ftf.pf.

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