Pacific

Sport: Crunch time for Tahiti at Beach Soccer World Cup

09:54 am on 26 November 2019

Tahiti is taking a tunnel-visioned approach to this morning's do or die match against Uruguay at the Beach Soccer World Cup in Paraguay.

The Tiki Toa bounced back from an opening 12-4 defeat by Italy to thrash Mexico 6-1 on Sunday and keep alive their hopes of a fourth straight trip to the knockout stage.

Tahiti were beaten 12 - 4 by Italy in the opening match of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Paraguay. Photo: FIFA/Getty Images

The Oceania champions, who finished runners up at the last two World Cups, are currently third in Group B and will seal a spot in the quarter finals if they beat Uruguay by a three goal margin.

However Tiki Toa coach Naea Bennett, who retired from playing at the last World Cup two years ago, insists he isn't worried about the goal difference and simply needs his men to fight to win.

"We have no other choice," he said.

"Three goals [difference]? I don't look [at it] like this. We have three periods, we have to win the three periods and it will be good for us. We have to play with the mental and to win no calculations, nothing. We have to win three periods that's all."

Tahiti coach Naea Bennett. Photo: OFC via Phototek

Mexico and Italy will square off in their final round-robin clash in a few hours time, which means Tahiti will know exactly what is required of them to reach the quarter finals when they take to the sand.