Tahiti’s national beach soccer team the Tiki Toa have returned to the international stage in fine fashion, dominating a two-match series against England at the weekend.
The two friendlies mark not only the one year anniversary of the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup held in Tahiti, but the beginning of the Tiki Toa’s campaign for Portugal 2015.
The opening match was a 4-1 victory for the home side, followed by a 3-2 victory to seal the series.
Heimanu Taiarui, who spent several months playing in the Swiss Beach Soccer League as well as in the Italian league, was the first on the scoreboard with his opener coming just one minute into the match.
His next goal came just a few minutes later when an attempt by captain Naea Bennett was pushed away by the keeper, to the feet of Taiarui who nailed home his second.
England pulled one of their own back through Aaron Clarke, but with Taiarui earning a hat trick, and a goal to Tearii Labaste, the Tiki Toa finished the first encounter with a 4-1 win.
Coming back for the second match were a more determined England side.
Unlike their first game the Tiki Toa struggled to find the back of their opponent’s net with the first goal coming five minutes from the find of the first period through Tahiti goalkeeper Jonathan Torohia.
A silly error by Raimana Li Fung Kuee saw the English awarded a penalty which was converted by Aaron Clarke.
The second period continued much like the first with both sides taking their chances and the goalkeepers really proving their worth as they continued to deny goals.
The break came through Tiki Toa captain Bennett as he headed past England’s keeper to take the score to 2-1.
Once again an error by a Tahitian, this time Taiarui, handed the advantage to England as they scored to bring themselves in line 2-2 with little time remaining in the final period.
Two minutes from time Patrick Tepa found himself in a position to shoot, beating the keeper to edge Tahiti ahead and secure a 3-2 victory.
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