Tahiti, the goldfish among sharks

Speaking in the aftermath of Porto's UEFA Cup triumph in 2003, manager Jose Mourinho was, surprisingly, unambitious when talking about his team. "We can do nice things in the Champions League next season but I don't think we can win it. Winning the Champions League is just for the sharks, clubs who can afford to spend €20million, 30m, 40m on one player." Fast forward 12 months and Mourinho's Porto were champions of Europe after defeating Monaco in the Champions League final in Gelsenkirchen.

As they prepare to take on some of the big sharks of world football, the relative goldish of Tahiti can empathise with Mourinho's quote from 10 years ago. The tiny Pacific nation will proudly take their place at the FIFA Confederations Cup, which begins this Saturday in Brazil. With four previous world champions (Brazil, Spain, Italy and Uruguay) among the competitors, along with respected names Japan, Mexico and Nigeria, there is little doubt that Tahiti are rank outsiders. To put it in film terms, they are the 'Finding Nemo' taking their place alongside 'Jaws'.

What the hell are Tahiti doing in amongst that lot, you may ask? The answer is simple - they are champions of Oceania. Yes, in one of the greatest shocks in recent football memory, they triumphed at last year's Oceania Nations Cup, beating New Caledonia 1-0 in the final. New Zealand had been overwhelming favourites to win but, amazingly, the only unbeaten team at the 2010 World Cup lost to New Caledonia in the semi-finals. Note also that Australia switched to the Asian confederation eight years ago, making last year the first time that neither they nor New Zealand were Oceanian champions.

You may be surprised to know that this is not actually Tahiti's first participation at a major tournament. Four years ago their under 20 team qualified for the World Cup, but it proved an incredibly steep learning curve for the islanders, who lost 8-0 to both Spain and Venezuela and then 5-0 to Nigeria. Three games, no goals scored, 21 conceded. It's fair to say they were outclassed.

So, will the same fate befall their senior side in Brazil over the coming days? It might - they face Spain and Nigeria in this tournament also, as well as 2010 World Cup semi-finalists Uruguay. Getting anything from those three games will be quite a task for a squad with only one full-time professional footballer, former France under 21 international Marama Vahirua, in their ranks. He has a limited amount of big tournament experience from his time at Lyon in 2001-02, and a few other Tahitians have played outside of their own country.

As well as the Oceania Nations Cup, Tahiti also played in a little-known tournament called the Coupe de l'Outre Mer in 2012, a competition between French overseas territories. They were beaten in their first game by Mayotte, a team not even affiliated to FIFA. Doesn't exactly forecast great things for their opening Confederations Cup match against Nigeria on Sunday, does it?

But this is the beauty of football. Tahiti can travel to the tournament in Brazil free of any pressure as expectations will be minimal. They do have a point to prove to those who are predicting them to be hammocked in the same way that the under 20s were in 2009, but this will be an experience like no other for their players. A chance to play in a country regarded by many as the greatest in football, plus a rare match against the current world champions Spain. Vahirua, Ariihau Teriitau and Steevy Chong Hue will share the same pitch as Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres. What a unique occasion that will be for Oceanian football.

Tahiti are also well able to keep it in the family. There are no fewer than four players with the surname Tehau in their squad - twins Alvin and Lorenzo, their brother Jonathan and cousin Teaonui. With four members of the same family in the squad, it almost reads like a parishional GAA team, although I would venture to suggest that the surname Tehau has never appeared in a hurling match programme.

The ambition for Eddy Etaeta's side will be to justify their particpation at the Confederations Cup. They will at least hope to put up a respectable showing, and possibly snatch the odd goal or two, but even getting a draw from their three group games would be a huge ask. Then again, Trinidad and Tobago held Sweden to 0-0 at the 2006 World Cup, and by winning the Oceania Nations Cup, Tahiti have earned their moment in the spotlight. I'm on standby to possible witness one of international football's most romantic tales over the next few days.