Though the Pacific Islanders failed to make it through the group phase, they could still be proud of their efforts, picking up an historic win – their first at any FIFA event – in their opening match against Venezuela before going on to lose to eventual champions Russia and having their quarter-final hopes crushed by Nigeria in the last group match.
Player-coach Teva Zaveroni, who has local heritage as his father is Italian, was the picture of happiness at the end of Tahiti’s victorious debut at the tournament, staying late into the night to celebrate in front of the enthusiastic spectators, who really took the Tiki Toa into their hearts.
Tears of joy were shed as Zaveroni was joined by his compatriots and the sparse following that accompanied them on this first global odyssey, wearing crowns of shells and flowers behind their ears.
The sensation was one of immense satisfaction but also disbelief, given that up until ten months ago the Tiki Toa, or “Warrior Men” as they are affectionately known, didn’t even exist, and now they were living the dream.
“We played with our hearts, for our people, for our country, who were watching us live on TV,” Zaveroni said.
“We knew that Venezuela have some pacy players so we had to stay sharp, not let ourselves get turned over and we did it, playing like we know how. I dedicate that victory to all those who weren’t able to be with us, to the boys who didn’t make the squad.”
Sharpness is clearly a quality the Tahitian tactician has in abundance. When not calling the shots from the sidelines, Zaveroni leads by example on the sand, as demonstrated by his brilliant brace against La Vinotinto.
“Besides getting on the scoresheet, I’m happy for the win and for the fact that the goals enabled the boys to express themselves,” explained the 35-year-old, pointing to his compatriots’ mental fortitude.
“I worked on the players’ self-esteem leading up to the tournament because we are a newly-formed team. I drilled into them that they have the qualities to be playing in a World Cup with the other big sides.”
When asked if their maiden win at the global showpiece was something of a miracle, Zaveroni insisted the victory was no fluke, almost cringing before answering: “Well, perhaps it was, but I think the secret is that for ten months we have been a family, we’ve lived together, sharing joy and pain, and learning from our difficulties.
“Day after day we have become increasingly close, we have become a real team, and I think that was apparent. The key is to play without feeling second-best because we have the quality.
“In the weeks we spent preparing for the tournament we were able to compare ourselves with the world’s biggest teams and little by little we started to realise we weren’t so inferior.”
Tahiti at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Italy 2011
Tahiti: 5
Venezuela: 2
Group C
2 September
Stadio del Mare
Ravenna
Russia: 5
Tahiti: 0
Group C
4 September
Stadio del Mare
Ravenna
Tahiti: 1
Nigeria: 4
Group C
6 September
Stadio del Mare
Ravenna
For more on the world game go to www.fifa.com