Tahiti brings exceptional welcome

Tiki Toa beat Australia in a friendly game after a the Welcome ceremony displayed an amusing spectacle at Tahua To’ata

Despite it’s still five days to the kick-off of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013 Tahiti, the Tahua To’ata stadium wanted to welcome today the competition, with a jaw-dropping mixture of tradition, rhythm and colour, rounded with a terrific beach soccer display by the Tiki Toa.

The evening got started with a fantastic musical performance by the group Hei Tahiti, winners of the traditional dance contest Heiva. 105 performers used a tasty mixture of the traditional sounds and colours of the Polynesian culture, and a modern dance to put the stands of the stadium upside down, anticipating the atmosphere that will make this World Cup an unforgettable one.

After the Welcome ceremony, the friendly match between the Tahiti Nui National side and Australia, thought to be a test match to check the stadium functioning, kept the party going. The Tiki Toa brought on excellent beach soccer to fly past the Beach Socceroos (9-2), with a particularly flashing performance by Raimana Li Fung Kuee, bagging 3 goals.