Tahiti’s U-19 national team are keen to write their names into the nation’s football history by following in the footsteps of those who came before them and qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Tahiti first won the OFC U-20 Championship, as it was then named, back in 2009 under the guidance of Lionel Charbonnier.
The side headed to Egypt where they were given a harsh introduction to the world stage but some of those players have since gone on to win the OFC Nations Cup with the Toa Aito in 2012, and appear at the FIFA Confederations Cup, while others have become Tiki Toa.
Bonne chance aux petits. Content de voir que 10ans après on se rend compte du bien fondé de ma politique d Elite …! Maintenant faut passer!Fier du fenua,fier d avoir montré le chemin..10 ans après retrouveront ils les différents sentiers à suivre pour atteindre le mondial??
— charbonnier lionel (@liocharbo) July 18, 2018
The OFC U-19 Championship returns to Tahitian soil this August and the hosts have been drawn alongside defending champions New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Qualifier winners Tonga in Group A.
Tahiti’s preparations have been ongoing, with the side competing in the local national league, Ligue 1, an experience which has allowed the group to work on growing together.
On 9 July, four weeks out from the tournament, coach Bruno Tehaamoana announced a list of 26 players who would travel to Moorea this week for a four day camp.
The camp, being held from 18-22 July, will help Tehaamoana and his staff whittle the group down to just 20 players who will compete in the competition.
In addition, the final camp will also feature players who have been based in France for the past year,
Eddy Kaspard, Kavai’ei Morgant, Terai Bremond and Kealii Wong are back to join their teammates in chasing the coveted tickets to Poland.
The OFC U-19 Championship will take place from 5-18 August in Papeete, Tahiti.
Tahiti U-19 squad of 26
Goalkeepers
Moana PITO (AS Tefana)
Tevaerai TAMATAI (AS Venus)
Defenders
Tahuhuterani TIRAO (Taiarapu FC)
Brandon AUTAI (AS Pirae)
Tivini TEUMERE (AS Venus)
Hennel TEHAAMOANA (AS Dragon)
Mauri HEITAA (AS Venus)
Orirau TEHIO (AS Pirae)
Hauragi HURI (AS Venus)
Samuel LIPARO (US Concarneau, FRA)
Antonio FIU (Universite P. Sabatier, FRA)
Midfielders
Ariimana TAAROAMEA (AS Arue)
Hugo BOUBE (AS JT)
Roonui TEHAU (AS Venus)
Yann VIVI (AS JT)
Keali’i WONG (AS Erstein, FRA)
Terai BREMOND (Toulouse FC, FRA)
Kavai’ei MORGANT (Trelissac FC, FRA)
Romain COURTADE (AS Aorai)
Kitin MARO (AS Venus)
Purotu NANUAITERAI (AS Tefana)
Forwards
Eddy KASPARD (Trelissac FC, FRA)
Aymeric WONG (AS Arue)
Pakeke AMAU (AS Venus)
Tutehau TUFARIUA (Taiarapu FC)
Rainui NORDMAN (AS JT)