The Tiki Toa are hosting the Swiss in Tahiti for a three match series at Jardins de Paofai on October 3, 5 and 6.
The team have been taking advantage of the close relationship between the Fédération Tahitienne de Football and Swiss national coach Angelo Schirinzi who has been acting as a technical advisor for the World Cup hosts.
This relationship has led to several players joining Schirinzi’s squad in the Swiss National Beach Soccer League, the Sable Dancers.
Tahiti’s player-coach Teva Zaveroni, Heimanu Taiarui, Jonathan Torohia and Teari Labaste were based in Bern for several months this year where they helped the Sable Dancers to the final of the league, which was ultimately lost 6-5 following a goal in the last eight seconds.
Zaveroni says working with Schirinzi has been going well.
“I have learnt many new things during my time in Switzerland participating in the national league and in the national team trainings. It has been incredible,” he says.
“I would have liked to have taken the whole team but it is very expensive to live in Switzerland, so I would especially like to thank the federation for helping those of us it could.”
Tahiti 2013 will be the Tiki Toa’s second World Cup after they made their debut in Italy in 2011 and despite not making it through to the quarter-finals, Zaveroni says they exceeded their expectations with a win over Venezuela.
“It was our very first time participating, our first match, and one victory – we couldn’t have dreamt it better ourselves,” he says.
“Now it is essential to work and work because it will be difficult to win against the Swiss and Portugal – they are another level. For us, if we want to progress, we have to come here to Switzerland.
“In our preparations we have 24 international matches confirmed that will be played in Dubai and Miami and others that will be played in Tahiti including test events and exhibition tournaments.”
Defender Heimanu Taiarui was disappointed not to have won the league final with the Sable Dancers but believes the experience will pay dividends to Tahiti’s World Cup preparations.
“We are very disappointed, we have a great team and everything to win this match but the best team won. It’s the grand final and a very high level” he says.
“I am also here to gain some experience because we are hosting the World Cup in September 2013. It will be great to show everyone exactly what Tahiti is, because there are many people in the world who don’t know our country, our islands.”
Tiki Toa vs Switzerland
Jardins de Paofai
Wednesday 3 October, 5pm
Friday 5 October, 4pm
Saturday 6 October, 10am
All local times

Share