Tahiti's paddling fishermen have been a symbol of the Pacific paradise for decades. Now welcome the paddling players celebrating the most high-profile goal the national football team has ever scored.
Jonathan Tehau's headed first half goal for the amateurs of Tahiti was ''grandiose'', according to coach eddy Etaeta. The players certainly thought so, and gathered together in the middle of the pitch to pretend they were paddling a Tahitian fishing boat in a joyful celebration.
The celebration was apparently launched by defender Marama Vahirua, who used it when he played in France. ''When Marama scores, he paddles,'' said Etaeta. ''The paddle has a great significance for us.''
Unfortunately, even paddling couldn't save the French Polynesian amateurs from a 6-1 hiding from Nigeria in the Confederations Cup in Brazil on Monday.
