Around the world in 80 teams: CF Rapa Nui

By Henry Pass

What do Makemake, Squidward’s House and the Polynesian Rat have in common? That’s right, they all originate from Easter Island! Our next team ironically does not originate from Easter Island, but plays on behalf of them; CF Rapa Nui.

CF Rapa Nui, meaning “big island”, is an association football team from Chile, who play for Easter Island. And most astounding of all…they have only ever played one official match. True, they’ve had several home games and unofficial kick-abouts, but it wasn’t until August 2009 that they officially played Santiago team Colo-Colo at their home stadium, Estadio de Hanga Roa, which seats around 2,500 people.

For this unique and original event, almost all 4,000 of the islands residents turned up to watch their men face off against the Colo-Colo’s. The team were coached by Chilean international and former Colo-Coloplayer Miguel Angel Gamboa, who had to spend several weeks training up the local fishermen who volunteered to play on basic skills such as heading, shooting, and positioning. He said: “I’m aware that there’ll be a big gulf between the sides. But we’ve prepared as best we can and we won’t give in without a fight.”

To the one and only match then. It did not start well when Javier Pevez from Rapa Nui scored an own goal. And it pretty much went downhill from there really. The referee disallowed a goal for our Easter Island locals when one player handled the ball. Later on two goals were scored in quick succession by Christian Bogado of Colo-Colo, and Philip Araos scored the fourth and final goal of the match, a 4-0 victory to Colo-Colo.

It was described by FIFA as the, “island’s match of the century”- and they weren’t wrong really, considering it’s been their only match of the century…so far. But at least they enjoyed themselves. Native dances were performed through-out, the football pitch itself was bumpy and mere meters away from the sea, and the scene was described as, “a feel good party atmosphere”. What I would have given to be there.

What next then for Rapa Nui? Jovino Tuki, who played for the island, then never left afterwards, said: “I’d love for mainland scouts to find some rough diamonds here and for Rapa Nui to make a contribution to Chilean sport.”

Will the Easter Island gods bring the local team some luck? Time will tell…

Photos courtesy of goal.com