Tahiti Million, Others 24

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.