Also being given a preview were the Tiki Toa’s Group A opponents Spain, United Arab Emirates and USA, as the locals toppled CONMEBOL champions Argentina 6-4 in front of their home crowd.
Tahiti got the ball rolling in the first period when captain Naea Bennett found himself alone at the second post and able to knock the ball into the back of the net to open the scoring in the second minute. Argentina didn’t let their hosts hold the lead long as they equalised with a converted penalty.
The second period saw the Argentinians tale the lead after two minutes when Frederico took advantage of a Tahitian defensive error. Bennett countered with his second goal to bring the two sides back in line before Teva Zaveroni scored a penalty of his own to give the Tiki Toa a 3-2 advantage going into the final third.
Raimana Li Fung Kuee hit the back of the net before Ramoana Bennett extended the Tahitian’s lead even further. An acrobatic turn from Heimanu Taiarui took the score to 6-2, with Argentina’s Santiago Hilaire scoring a late consolation brace.
Argentina goalkeeper Marcelo Salgueiro says he believes Tahiti will progress quite far in the upcoming World Cup.
“The Tiki Toa are very srong physically and technically. I must congratulate their goalkeeper, and say that the ambiance in the stadium was superb,” Salgueiro says. “The locals are very welcoming and respectful,” he adds.
Tahiti captain Naea Bennett says he’s is very happy to see his side secure a win over the CONMEBOL champions.
“It’s our first friendly match since our tour of Europe, we are proud to show our public that we can also win here. It’s true that the support of the public motivated us following a difficult debut, but after the first goals it was much easier,” Bennett says.
“When the game begins developing, we can do a lot of fantastic things. We have a state of mind of a Tiki Toa, the soul of a warrior who wants to win.”
Tiki Toa goalkeeper Jonathan Torohia agrees that playing in front of the home crowd is an amazing feeling.
“It really warms the heart to play at home, we were really proud to play for our people,” he says. “We are really satisfied with the result. The pressure is really starting to mount, especially with the population who support us. But we have been reassured with this win, especially as in this match we played a very high level of beach soccer.”
Tahiti coach Angelo Schirinzi last week announced the official list of the 12 players who will contest the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013 from 18-28 September.
Schirinzi has stuck with a relatively predictable line-up of players who have been working towards this event playing friendlies against Netherlands and France and competing in the Suzuki Swiss League with Schirinzi’s Sable Dancers.
Swiss coach Schirinzi says he has spent every day over the past six months thinking about the final composition of the side.
“I made my choice in regards to my preferences for the positions and in terms of my philosophy of the game,” he says. “I think that the 12 players retained are those who best responded to my criteria. I think for the players that haven’t been retained, it’s been hard for me because that have also become my friends. The group has been together for two years, I have carefully considered my decision.”
Tahiti Beach Soccer Team
1. Jonathan Torohia
2. Angelo Tchen
3. Marama Amau
4. Heimanu Taiarui
5. Raimona Bennett
6. Patrick Tepa
7. Raimana Li Fung Kuee
8. Heiarii Tavanae
9. Naea Bennett
10. Charles, Tearii Labaste
11. Teva Zaveroni
12. Franck Revel
To see highlights of Tahiti’s friendly against Argentina click here

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