Tahiti makes its first appearance in the Confederations Cup on Monday against Nigeria. The match begins at 3 p.m. ET. Tune into ESPN or watch the live stream HERE.
Tahiti's Confederations Cup debut is also its first in a major FIFA tournament, the Associated Press reports. The tiny island, which has a population of 178,000 people, qualified for the Confederation Cup by winning the Oceania Nations cup. Now Tahiti's national team is on the world soccer stage.
"We will write a page of international history," Tahiti coach Eddie Etaeta told reporters through a translator. "This will be our first very high level match."
The No. 138 ranked team faces Nigeria, this year's African champions. Marama Vahirua, Tahiti's only professional player on the squad, discussed the new experience.
"Everything is rather new, I have never lived this before," Vahirua said through a translator at a press conference. "I have never been at such a tournament. It will be a very first time for me as well. I will try not to be shy."
Aside from Vahirua, who plays for the Greek club Panthrakikos, the remainder of the Tahitian team is either unemployed or working day jobs.
"The players are all aware there is a chasm between the professional and amateur world," Vahirua said. "I think tomorrow we will not be on a par with Nigeria ... they have been professionals for years.
"But mentally we are ready. We will fight like lions and we will do anything to represent our country."
Etaeta believes playing on the world stage will be a learning experience for his players and something the team can build from going forward. While his squad isn't expected to defeat Nigeria, the Confederations Cup is a stepping stone to becoming more competitive.
"Today the star is Tahiti," Etaeta said. "I'm proud the whole of media looks to Tahiti ... and we will try to draw lessons so we can improve our football."
