Samin – Tahiti’s usual number one – has found himself second choice to Roche and may not be guaranteed a starting spot in their semi-final match against Solomon Islands on Friday.
“At the beginning it wasn’t easy,” Samin says. “I wasn’t playing but after that it is the coaches’ choice and I have to respect that. We have a good relationship so I accept the situation.”
The dynamic between Roche and Samin remains positive despite Roche starting the first two games of the campaign. There is also the small matter of Roche’s Dragon club wrenching Tefana’s Division Federale from Samin’s grasp for the first time in 44 years.
“No, when it comes to the national team there are no clubs – the rivalry remains in the past. We are here to work for Tahiti and this is no problem for us,” Samin says.
With Samin finishing last season with an O-League runners-up medal and a Coupe de Tahiti Nui winners medal, the 36-year-old believes this could be his last campaign with Tahiti.
“We’ve achieved our main objective of reaching Stage 3 of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Oceania Qualifiers. The OFC Nations Cup and Stage 3 are going to be my last involvement with international football,” Samin says.
As the semi-final with Solomon Islands looms, Samin downplays the home team’s threat.
“There isn’t anything about our opponents that is a secret, so we know what to expect,” he says. “The biggest quality we have is our mental strength. We have no concerns over our skills or technical abilities whatsoever.”
Glove rival Roche, who started the first two games of the tournament but missed the final match in Group A, has nothing but admiration for Samin.
“We always talk together not so much about technique but about experiences. Xavier has been a very reliable goalkeeper for a very long time and has good qualities,” Roche says.
The Tefana veteran returns the compliments, proving the relaxed nature of the duo’s competitive relationship.
“Mikael always has a big physical presence in the penalty area and for me he is also a strong character on and off the pitch,” Samin says. “But we can always give something to each other. But our best collective quality as goalkeepers is mental. We have confidence in each others’ skills and qualities. I have to help Mikael to be good and he is doing the same. My family is also there for that and always offer encouragement.”
Tefana coach Laurent Heinis is Samin’s biggest influence after sharing so much domestic and regional success but his admiration extends to Italian international Gianluigi Buffon.
“I started my career with the national team at just 16-years-old so it was very tough,” Roche says. “Daniel Tapeta, Xavier and Jimmy Tahutini were already there and the coach was Leon Gardiokitis from Australia.”
Tahutini was a big hero of Roche’s and played his club football in France with Martigues.
“I was young and impressed by Jimmy’s technical qualities – he was a very fine goalkeeper,” Roche says.
Tahiti face Solomon Islands in the first semi-final of the Nations Cup at Lawson Tama Stadium in Honiara on Friday from 11am local time.

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