Teva Zaveroni hails the performances of rising star Heimanu Terorotua at the OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup and backs Tahiti to shine at Seychelles 2025.
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Tahiti overcame a huge test to reach another FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup
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Teva Zaveroni hails the performances of youngster Heimanu Terorotua
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The coach backs the Warrior Gods to shine at Seychelles 2025
Not many people know that Teva Zaveroni, the coach of Tahiti’s beach soccer national team, is Corsican on his father’s side. Although he has never set foot on the Mediterranean island, he would very much like to do so one day. It is a dream destination for many and might just be the perfect place to celebrate if the Warrior Gods manage a podium finish at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025™. “Exactly,” a smiling Zaveroni told FIFA. There are a number of obstacles to overcome before reaching that stage. The first of these – and by no means the easiest – was to qualify for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup for the eighth time in a row. They cleared that hurdle with aplomb at the end of October. In the sweltering heat of the Solomon Islands, Tahiti won the OFC Beach Soccer Nations Cup with a 3-2 victory over the hosts in the final. It was far from plain sailing, however. “We knew it was going to be really tough,” said Zaveroni. “The Solomon Islands have a great team. We were aware of their physical prowess and the fact that they often play it along the ground, making the most of the sand not being very deep, which suits their style.”
To go toe to toe with Solomon Islands on a surface “more akin to futsal than beach soccer”, Tahiti relied on their experience. Zaveroni explained: “At the start of the year, just before the World Cup in Dubai, we went to Brazil for four weeks of training. They approach the game the same way as the Solomon Islands, and they’re just as physical. So we applied what we learned in Brazil, and I think that’s what made the difference.” Tahiti were also able to count on Heimanu Terorotua, who scored a decisive brace against Solomon Islands to secure their place at Seychelles 2025.
“He trained with us in Brazil, but I left him out of the squad for the World Cup because I felt he was still too young,” said Zaveroni of the 22-year-old. “He came to Dubai though, and was with us in the dressing room as part of the backroom set-up. He’s absorbed all that knowledge and has really stepped up. He scored two goals in the final and was instrumental in us qualifying.”
Indeed, along with 20-year-old Flavien Otcenasek, Terorotua – Player of the Match in the final – provides a beacon of hope for Tahiti, who now have their sights set on Seychelles 2025. “First of all, we’re going to take a short break so that everyone can get back to their families and clubs,” said Zaveroni.
“Then, beginning in December, we’re going to try to work here in the country for at least three or four months. “In the run-up to the World Cup, the plan is to go abroad for at least six weeks to play friendly matches in March and April. For the moment, we don’t know where.
We’ll see, depending on the invitations we receive and our itinerary too, because we have to think about the time difference with the Seychelles (14 hours ahead of Tahiti). “Here in Tahiti, we’re really far from everything. To get to the Solomon Islands, for instance, we spent almost an entire day on the plane on the way out and on the way back, not to mention the stopovers. For us, travelling is sometimes more tiring than playing.”
Coping with isolation and keeping mentally fresh are also among the obstacles that regularly stand in the way of the Tahitians. For some, like Jonathan Torohia, the family and professional sacrifices required to pursue their passion can sometimes be too much to bear. Zaveroni has been experiencing this for over ten years, and he is making no secret of the fact that Seychelles 2025 is likely to be his last tournament in the Tiki Toa dugout. Naturally, Zaveroni is determined to go out on a high, especially since this year’s World Cup in Dubai ended in quarter-final frustration at the quarter-final stage, where Tahiti threw away a 2-0 lead in a 5-2 loss to Italy. “I’ll give it my all,” he said. “And I’ll pass on the message to the players to do the same. We’re capable of going far at this World Cup. Getting through the group stage, then the quarter-finals and semi-finals. Anything is possible.” Even finding himself in Corsica, trophy in hand, in the summer of 2025.
