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Tahitian international and AS Vénus striker Teaonui Tehau is on the verge of achieving something incredible: an opportunity to play in Europe. The player is the Tahiti National Football Team’s captain and all time top scorer.
Tehau helped AS Vénus reach the quarter-finals of the OFC Champions League this season after wins over Fiji’s Ba, Samoa’s Lupe the Soaga and a loss to Auckland City from New Zealand. He is currently in a training camp with the National Team preparing for 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The player has been called up for a trial period in the Netherlands, specifically with local third division club Kozakken Boys. The former Real Madrid player Royston Drenthe is currently with Kozakken Boys and could become Tehau’s team-mate.
However, Tehau has to hurry up and raise funds in order not to miss this unique opportunity. The pre-season in the Dutch leagues started on 7 July, but the club is still waiting for Tehau’s confirmation.
His talent was noticed by Dutchman Paul Driessen at the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa. Driessen, an intermediary registered with the Dutch Football Association (KNVB), has been active in Oceania since 2010 with the Dutch Oceania Support Foundation. He visited the tournament in a dual role as an intermediary. “Our aim has always been to build a strong bridge between Oceania and Europe for football. The foundation recruits coaches for national football federations in Oceania and organises training camps in the Netherlands for national football teams. On the other hand, I am also active as a recruiter of talent who dream of playing in Europe,” said Driessen.
“Most professional football clubs in the Netherlands turned down my offer because they considered him too old. The transfer value of a 27-year-old player is simply lower than that of a 21-year-old. But I believe in him and the Kozakken Boys too. We have to seize this opportunity with both hands. It’s a unique opportunity,” he added.
Teaonui is invited for a two-week trial and is expected to arrive in the Netherlands on 20 July. Four games are scheduled to be played during his trial. “The invitation is here. The only thing he has to do is prepare his funds to book his flight and accommodation. This should be done within the next five days to prevent the inviting club from passing on another invitation,” Driessen said.
Oceania Football Center will closely follow the development of this opportunity for Teaonui Tehau and wishes him good luck in the Netherlands.
Oceania Football Center 