The 33-year-old is set bring his experience to the Toa Aito for the first time in his career, and is pleased to finally be beginning his integration into the squad as they prepare for the Festival of Champions.
“For a country like ours, this is a huge opportunity. It’s a unique chance to raise the level of our football even higher, and of sport in general, Vahirua says.
“In Tahiti a lot of work has gone into this for a number of years, there is progress being made. This competition will allow us to go a step further. It’s an opportunity to show that Tahitian football is not confined to the islands but can extend even further.”
Tahiti is entering into the final month of preparations as they get ready for the tournament of a lifetime after their Nations Cup victory in 2013 secured them a spot in the FIFA Confederations Cup.
The side will face Nigeria first up on 17 June, before encountering World Champions Spain three days later. Their third match will be against Uruguay on 23 June.
Vahirua says the side needs to be realistic about their chances in the competition as it will be very, very difficult.
“Spain, Uruguay and Nigeria, it’s true that we often say that in football anything can happen, but there are also limits to that,” he says.
“Keep our feet on the ground, give our best and progress together. You know, nobody expects to see us trouble these teams, we are in the situation of being the underdogs facing the giants, which always earns the sympathy of the public, but this sympathy, it also needs to be earned on the field and give our all.”
Tahiti coach Eddy Etaeta says it is great to have Vahirua training with the team, especially as he brings so much experience to what is essentially a team of amateurs.
“He is very motivated, but he is going to have to take it slow after such a long trip and the need to adjust to the 12 hour time difference,” Etaeta says.
“The rest of the group has been training for six weeks and he will need to catch up. We have created several specific training sessions because we cannot risk him picking up an injury. We are counting on his experience to do well in Brazil.”
For more on Tahiti football go to www.ftf.pf

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