It may have seemed like an overnight success story but the reality could not have been further from the truth. The tiny French territory that became Pacific champions in June had in fact been planning and developing for that moment for well over a decade.
“It was the result of a lot of work over the last 10 to 12 years,” Toa Aito assistant coach Ludovic Graugnard says.
The Tahitians aren’t about to rest on their laurels though and will be looking to use the Nations Cup triumph as a stepping stone to further success, both individually and collectively.
The Stage 3 Oceania qualifiers for the 2014 FIFA World Cup are next on the agenda and Tahiti will turn to the likes of the Tehau family – featuring brothers Jonathan, Alvin and Lorenzo, along with cousin Teaonui – to continue their exhilarating form as they embark on the road to Brazil 2014.
The path to the World Cup began in disappointing fashion last Friday with a 2-0 away loss to the Solomon Islands and continues on Tuesday night with a francophone derby against traditional foes New Caledonia at Stade Pater in Papeete.
Former AS Cannes youth and French third division player Graugnard says the Tehau family and many others in the ranks have the ability to play at a higher level and their abilities are likely to shine through in Stage 3 despite that opening loss.
“Players like the Tehau’s are from the development path which saw them progress from youth to senior level. They have all the qualities to play professionally,” he says.
Captain Nicolas Vallar is another with a distinctive pedigree, developed from his time on the books of current French champions Montpellier and Ligue 2 side Sete. That experience came to the fore in good effect during the defender’s Golden Ball-winning performances at the Nations Cup but he will not be available for the New Caledonia clash after being sent off against the Solomon Islands.
Increasing the number of players plying their trade overseas will be the next step for Tahiti as they look to compete with the likes of New Zealand, who remain Oceania’s top-ranked side, on a regular basis.
“Maybe some players will have trials in Australia, New Zealand or Asia,” Graugnard says. “One thing I am sure of is that there is big potential here in Tahiti.”
The Tahitians could come up against the likes of Brazil, Italy and world and European champions Spain at next year’s Confederations Cup but will need to ensure they concentrate on the task ahead if they wish to return to Brazil the following year for an unprecedented appearance on football’s biggest stage.
Graugnard admits one of the major tasks faced by himself and head coach Eddy Etaeta is to make sure the feet of the Toa Aito stars remain firmly on the ground.
“Our job will be to keep the players focused on our preparations and remind them the Nations Cup result was just the beginning, not the end of the story.”
The Stage 3 qualifiers are a chance to showcase further evidence of the development being made and will add to a golden period in Tahitian football that already included an appearance at the 2011 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, where they picked up a historic victory over Venezuela, and saw Tefana battle their way to this year’s O-League final before that regional title in the Solomon Islands confirmed Toa Aito’s rapid rise.
The coming months hold just as much promise with the quest to qualify for Brazil 2014 continuing, national champions Dragon set to take part in the 2013 OFC Champions League and the nation readying itself to become the first Pacific Island to host the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, to be staged in Papeete next September.
“Important international events have been coming for the Tahitians, it is something incredible,” Graugnard says. “It is great for the country and for the players as well.”

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