OFC: Tahiti’s national beach soccer team are set to test their skills against the might of Japan in September when the two nations meet for a series of friendlies at Akashi Okura beach in Hyogo.
It will be the first official match for the 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup runners-up since losing the final of the Samsung Intercontinental Cup in Dubai to Russia.
The two matches, scheduled for 17 and 18 September, are part of the Tiki Toa’s preparations for the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup while for Japan it’s preparation for the 2016 Asian Beach Games in Vietnam.
The two sides have never met before, although Japan’s Brazilian coach Marcelo Mendes led the UAE against Tahiti during the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
The two friendly matches against Japan will round out a month long training camp in Switzerland for the Tiki Toa.
Already Tearii Labaste and Heimano Taiarui have been in Europe since May playing with Barcelona among other clubs.
Current Tiki Toa Angelo Tchen and Patrick Tepa have headed over with newcomers Tunui Phiaatae, Amaiterai Doom and Bryan Tumarae and are currently based in Bale, Switzerland where the remainder of the squad will join them at the beginning of August.
