The Tahiti U17 Soccer Team arrived yesterday, Sunday afternoon via Polynesian Airlines after being delayed in Samoa for two hours, to participate in the 2015 OFC U17 Tournament set to begin tomorrow.

The delegation comprising 22 players and four officials is the largest group so far to arrive for the tournament, with Tonga the last team, set to arrive this morning. The Tournament is being co-hosted with Samoa with participating teams split in to two groups — Group A playing in Samoa and Group B in American Samoa. The Semi-Final and Final games will be played in the Territory.

 According to the Head of the Tahiti delegation, Flaccadori Patrioe, “We are so glad for our first visit to the American territory of American Samoa. We did not expect the welcome leis, but we are in the Pacific where our people never forget to be cheerful and very friendly; we feel welcomed already. Apia was also good to us since our arrival last night at 9:00p.m.”

Of their aspirations in the Tournament, he said, “Who would come for Number Two? We want that Number One in the OFC. But we’ll see how well our team will execute our game plans — it is all up to the boys; and of course, their team coach Graugnard Ludovic and his assistant Araneda Ephraiu.” Their team’s physio technician is Mr. Lintz Jean-Claude.

Samoa News joins the FFAS and the Territory in welcoming Team Tahiti and for a great tournament with best wishes to all participating teams!

More photos in slideshow.