Tahitian football side AS Tefana say they feel as if they are representing the whole of Polynesia as they head into their OFC Champions League semi-final against Auckland City FC on Saturday.
Coach Pascal Vahirua told OFC TV it will be a massive game and will allow his team to show that Polynesian football is advancing.
"The essential thing is for us to enjoy ourselves," Vahirua said.
"Tefana has come to play at a high level and we showed during the qualifiers that we are a team, a team from Polynesia, that will defend Polynesia - all of Polynesia."
Vahirua acknowledged Auckland City pose a major challenge and Tefana will have to lift their game.
Tefana coach Pascal Vahirua Photo: OFC
"It's a massive game and we need to be even more efficient now," he said.
"What is ahead of us is something different to what we've experienced so far, it's top-level and it allows us to lift our level too, and allow us to show that Polynesian football is advancing."
The two teams met in last year's semi-finals as well, Auckland City coming out on top 4-2.
Auckland captain Angel Berlanga said he knows the French Polynesians will want to try and turn the tables this year and the match will be tough and willing.
After this weekend's match at Stade Pater, Auckland City FC will host Tefana at Kiwitea Street on April 16th in the return leg.
In the other semi-final AS Magenta is hosting New Zealand's newly crowned premiership champions, Team Wellington, in New Caledonia.
Tefana enter the semis having topped their group with two wins and a draw Photo: OFC via Massimo Colombini
