Tahiti’s central defender, Teheivarii Ludivion, has vowed that they battle ready to take their pound of flesh on the Super Eagles when both sides file out in Monday’s Confederation Cup Group B opener in Belo, Brazil.
Ludivion said: "The Confederations Cup is a huge event.
"It’s obviously a great honour to take part in it.
"It’s even bigger than four years ago."
Ludivion, who also played for his country’s U-20 team at the World Cup, added: "This time, we’re playing against the best, and there’s no age limit.
"I remember a particularly powerful and very lively team.
"They impressed me at that level.
"I’d like to think we can do better than we did four years ago.
“It’s fantastic to be playing the Nigerians in our opening game.
"It gives us a chance for revenge.
"And we’ll be able to see if we’ve made any progress."
He said he remains hopeful there will be no repeat of the 0-5 loss of 2009, which had the dubious distinction of being Tahiti’s best result in Egypt at the U-20 World Cup.
“The objective and the pre-match advice we’ve been given are the same: defend. That’s the key word. We’ll see as the match develops if we have a chance of getting anything from it,” said the rangy centre-half.
“I wasn’t the same footballer after the U-20 World Cup. A competition like that changes you. Undoubtedly, the experience we gained over there helped us to get to where we are today. And perhaps it also enables us to face what’s coming with more confidence.
“Spain were also in our group four years ago. It’s excellent that we’re crossing paths again,” stated Ludivion. “Venezuela are the only ones missing, but Uruguay are a fine replacement,” added the construction worker, showing no fear of the imposing obstacles ahead.
A commanding, robust presence in the heart of defence, he has developed into a crucial player for Tahiti over the past three years. National coach Etaeta has even handed him the captain’s armband on occasion, like in their 2-1 win over Chilean second division side Deportes Magallanes at the beginning of June, the only victory the team has recorded in their warm-up matches for Brazil 2013.
Trending
- FG bans use of foreign syringes, needles in tertiary hospitals
- Contempt: Appeal Court grants EFCC’s exparte motion for stay of proceedings, fixes date for hearing
- Court orders arrest of ex-Naval Chief over N1.5 b ‘fraud’ case
- Oyebanji receives Daily Independent’s Governor of the Year Award
- Police arrest 19-year-old for allegedly robbing female students
- Ganduja: Court bars police from arresting APC Ward Officers
- Police raid criminal hideouts, arrest 40 suspects in Lagos
- Tinubu to commission 3 gas infrastructure projects to boost economy prosperity