Tahiti's Tehau has Barcelona dreams after historic goal
Source: AFP |
June 19, 2013, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
JONATHAN Tehau struggled to articulate his joy after becoming the first player to score for Tahiti at a high-profile international tournament in a 1-6 loss to Nigeria at the Confederations Cup in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Ranked 138th in the world, Tahiti is making its first appearance in a competition of this level and despite the margin of defeat in Monday's game, it celebrated Tehau's 54th-minute goal like a victory.
With the score 3-0, Tehau converted a back post-header from a corner before leading his teammates in an imitation of the kayak-paddling celebration performed by Marama Vahirua, their one professional player.
The midfielder, who also works as a delivery driver and plays alongside his twin brothers Lorenzo and Alvin, as well as cousin Teaonui, said his mind had gone blank when the ball hit the net. "I didn't think of anything. I just celebrated the goal with my friends," said the 25-year-old, who also scored an own goal later in the game. "It's just huge. Already, coming here to Brazil, and then scoring the goal, I'm very happy."
Tehau said he hoped the goal would transform his life and when asked to name his ideal club, he replied with a grin: "Why not dream? Barcelona."
Ranked 138th in the world, Tahiti is making its first appearance in a competition of this level and despite the margin of defeat in Monday's game, it celebrated Tehau's 54th-minute goal like a victory.
With the score 3-0, Tehau converted a back post-header from a corner before leading his teammates in an imitation of the kayak-paddling celebration performed by Marama Vahirua, their one professional player.
The midfielder, who also works as a delivery driver and plays alongside his twin brothers Lorenzo and Alvin, as well as cousin Teaonui, said his mind had gone blank when the ball hit the net. "I didn't think of anything. I just celebrated the goal with my friends," said the 25-year-old, who also scored an own goal later in the game. "It's just huge. Already, coming here to Brazil, and then scoring the goal, I'm very happy."
Tehau said he hoped the goal would transform his life and when asked to name his ideal club, he replied with a grin: "Why not dream? Barcelona."
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