19 Jun 2013

Sport: Tahiti take heart from Confederations Cup defeat

11:45 am on 19 June 2013

Tahiti is taking plenty of heart from their debut performance at the Confederations Cup football tournament in Brazil.

The Oceania champions were outclassed 6-1 by Nigeria in Belo Horizonte, with midfielder Jonathan Tehau scoring at both ends of the pitch.

The amateur side are making their first ever appearance at a major FIFA tournament and goalkeeper Mickaël Roche says it's important to keep things in perspective.

"We wanted to show that Oceania players, that Tahitian players have a big heart and never give up whatever happens and I hope we could send that message to the world."

Tahiti's next match is against World and European champions Spain on Friday.