It is the first time the Polynesian side has come together since October’s round of Stage 3 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with coach Eddy Etaeta utilising a base of the victorious OFC Nations Cup players while adding four new players to the line-up.
In light of what is awaiting Tahiti at the Confederations Cup in Brazil this June, Etaeta took advantage of the occasion to trial a more defensive structure, adopting a 5-4-1 formation.
The move appeared to pay off initially with Tahiti’s strong defending giving Sydney very little room to move, with the only early action being a 20th minute on-target shot coming from Sydney.
However their striker Joel Chianese managed to get the scoring underway in the 43rd minute when he connected with a low cross from the left flank.
The second half saw Frank Farina’s players increase the pressure to put away three more goals against the Oceania champions.
Joel Griffiths had the net trembling after sending a beautiful shot into the Tahitian goal in the 56th minute. He notched his brace in the 80th minute when a cross back from the left goal-line found him open. Sydney’s fourth and final goal was scored in the final minutes of the match by Alec Urosevsk.
On the Tahitian side the best opportunity to score came in the 87th minute but Stanley Atani’s shot was off target by just a few centimetres.
Etaeta says he witnessed two different matches in one on Wednesday.
“First of all, the first half, where I could see some great defensive work in action in regards to the formation that we would like to put in place. Then the second half, especially after an hour of play, where the players suffered physically and athletically in regards to fitness and three goals were scored,” Etaeta says.
“We were up against professional players who made a huge impact in the tackles. It was difficult for us to respond to that physically. What I will take from this match is that the players aren’t ready physically – there is a lot of work to do ahead of the Confederations Cup.
“We will also need to continue to work on our tactics. It was a new formation for us, so we need to keep working to perfect our game plan. Our next match is on Friday and we will try to improve on the tactics we are in the midst of implementing.”
Sydney FC coach Frank Farina says for Tahiti to progress they need to play quality training matches.
“The more you play, the more you progress. Unfortunately it’s complicated for Tahiti to organise matches against teams of a high level,” Farina says.
“The Tahiti side is composed of amateur players so it’s very difficult for them against professional teams where the players are playing matches of a high level all year long. My advice is simple – play as much as possible.”
Tahiti will face amateur side Mounties Wanderers on Friday and Etaeta says there are more matches against elite teams on the horizon.
“We need to play other matches against teams of a high level between now and June 15 in order to progress in every possible sector,” he says.
“In any case, just finding ourselves here in Australia for a week is very positive for the group.”
For highlights of the match between Tahiti and Sydney FC click here
For more on Tahiti football go to www.ftf.pf

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