Two team members, goalkeeper Jonathan Torohia and Heimanu Taiarui, as well as Tiki Toa coach Tehina Rota have been named as finalists for Best Goalkeeper, Best Player and Best Coach respectively in the Beach Soccer Stars 2015.
Golden Ball at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, Heimanu Taiarui will be competing with Portuguese heavyweight Madjer and Brasil’s Bruno Xavier.
“Just to be named one of the three best players of the year is a lot. It’s not something bestowed upon everyone,” the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Golden Ball winner says.
Named alongside Portuguese heavyweight Madjer and Brasil’s Bruno Xavier, Taiarui has been described as an “all-around talent…able to pass and ground out goals like almost no one else can” by Beach Soccer Worldwide.
“I guess I’m confident,” Taiarui says, “if I win the title all the better for me, for the future.”
Taiarui will be among the Tiki Toa squad heading to Dubai for the Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup early next month, and is already lining up his next destination.
“Just after Dubai, I have been asked to go and play with FC Barcelona’s beach soccer team. I will go and play with them in Tobago, there’s a tournament just after Dubai,” Taiarui explains.
“In December, they’ve asked me to come play with them in Rio, Brasil.”
With plenty of offers, and some he’s even had to refuse, Taiarui says all this experience is just part of the master plan as he aims to help take the Tiki Toa to the top of the rankings.
“But with the Tiki Toa we don’t want to stop here,” he says.
“We have a goal: to be world champions. We will continue with our efforts to achieve that. I am proud of my country, proud of everything it has given me.”
The Tiki Toa will be in action against Iran, Mexico and FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup final opponents Portugal during the Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup in Dubai which runs from 3-7 November.
Following the final matches, the Beach Soccer Stars 2015 gala will be held with the winners of Best Goalkeeper, Best Player and Best Coach set to be announced.
For more on Tahiti football go to www.ftf.pf

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