The 21-year-old midfielder Tehotu Gitton has been impressing so far in the OFC Champions League for AS Pirae; the rising star of Tahitian football – that recently made his debut for the senior national team in two friendly matches against New Caledonia this March – has been one of the responsibles for the making the Tahitian outfit to reach the semifinals stage of the regional competition: “the group stage was very good for us, we have worked hard and never give up in any of the three games, that made us stronger“, said Gitton to Oceania Football Center.
The strenght of Pirae was shown especially in the second match of the group stage against the local side Ifira Black Bird, when the Tahitian side was losing by 2-0 and in the dying minutes of the game found two quick goals to equalise the match: “we had never given up in this match – we believed we could make it until the final whistle and I think that made us to complete the comeback“, said the 21-year-old midfielder.
Now the Tahitians will take on Suva from Fiji looking to grant a place in the grand final of the OFC Champions League: “Me and my teammates, we expected to have a good performance in this match“, stated the player. Gitton and his teammates faced a lot of issues to be in this position, as the team counted on only 15 players throught the group stage and it is already confirmed Ariiura Labaste will miss the semifinal due yellow-card accumulation and also there are doubts around the fitness of the striker Yohann Tihoni ahead of the clash.
Making it to the grand final can mean a lot for Pirae, that recently was invited to the FIFA Club World Cup bowing out in the first game, especially due the circumstances and also counting on very young players in their squad, such as Gitton that is having so far a spetacular contribution.
Oceania Football Center 