Tahiti Million, Others 24
Tahiti
an unknown entity in the footballing map was part of this Confederations Cup in
Brazil. They secured their qualification by virtue of being the Oceania Confederations
champions. They won
their group scoring many and conceding few goals to the opponents. This team is
made up entirely of amateurs in comparison to rest of the seven teams who are
thorough professionals. The extent of professionalism of these teams is also
evident in the score they have against the minnows from Tahiti. Tahiti lost 6-1
to Nigeria, 10-0 Spain, and 8-0 in their final group game against Uruguay.
The
score line however, does not speak about the standard of football they played.
To the Tahiti players and also the team management this tournament meant a lot.
This was an educational tour for them. As every educational tour is meant for
learning and also gives you ample scope for enjoying, this team did exactly
that. the moment they entered the stadium for the first match they were busy
taking photographs, as they were well prepared for the very difficult lecture
that was to be had at the hands of their
illustrious opponents in the next 3 games of 90 minutes each. However, as a
student ever willing to learn they asked questions to the professionals
whenever they got an opportunity. They were well prepared for the task at hand.
They did not try to hide the joy of playing football in such an environment, which
could be a once in their life time opportunity . They knew that these 90
minutes would probably change their lives (if spotted by some professional
clubs). They did not want to waste a single second of the ninety minutes they
would get in the company of these great players and teams. They pulled up their
consummate opponents back on their field. They did this in order to keep the
ball rolling for all the ninety minutes so that the most beautiful and
cherished moments in their lives was not
undone by someone lying on the ground.
Tahiti
players and everyone involved in the game of football in this tiny nation in
the pacific knew that if a goal could be scored it would be a icing on the cake
and were also aware that they did not have anything to lose. They were ready
for any kind of eventuality that would come across to them in the field. They
had below standard attack, midfield, and defense as compared to their
opponents. In such a situation what do most of the teams do is to keep all the
men in the third quarter of the field and make it difficult for the opponents
to score goals. The brave hearts from Tahiti did not do so as they were also
aware that conceding goals would not make any news as scoring goals would and
in the ;process they would also get to showcase their talent in an arena they
could only dream about till the time they landed in Brazil. Therefore they did
not plan in only trying to stop opponents scoring against them but they
themselves tried to score and play a very fascinating game. Because of this the
talents of all the players were demonstrated in one of the biggest stage in
world football, Brazil where flowing passing football is loved and valued by
everybody. Cheung Hoe and others stood out. The goalkeepers also made saves
which they should and will be proud of. Cheung I believe may have caught the
eye of the many scouts present in the stands and will be called if not by the
big clubs of Europe but by some smaller clubs of Asia and Australia.
Tahiti
played beautiful game. They deserve kudos from everybody for showing courage
and not disgracing the game of football by being ultra defensive in their
approach and in the process they also score a goal which was applauded by one
and all, inside as well as outside the stadium. Everyone cheered their goal and
their traveling fans supported their team against all odds. They were happy and
supportive of each and every touch their team members had on the ball. They cheered
their goalkeeper when he was visibly frustrated to keep up stop the next shot.
Tahiti
came to Brazil to participate in the tournament and everybody who has the
slightest of knowledge about football thought them to be the whipping boys for
the more skillful opponents but showed courage and were not overwhelmed and overawed
by the moment and did what they could do best given the resources and the
history they had. They won million of hearts by their willingness to compete
and in a fair manner.
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