Tuvalu national football team

Tuvalu
Association TNFA
Head coach Leen Looijen[1]
Most caps Mau Penisula (14 caps)
Top scorer Alopua Petoa (6 goals)
Home stadium Tuvalu Sports Ground
FIFA code TUV
Elo ranking 200
First colours
Second colours
First international
French Polynesia Tahiti 18 – 0 Tuvalu Tuvalu
(Suva, Fiji; August 29, 1979)
Biggest win
Tuvalu Tuvalu 4 – 0 American Samoa American Samoa
(Nouméa, New Caledonia; August 27, 2011)
Biggest defeat
French Polynesia Tahiti 18- 0 Tuvalu Tuvalu
(Suva, Fiji; August 29, 1979)

The Tuvalu national football team is the international football team of Tuvalu, which trains at the Tuvalu Sports Ground in Funafuti. Football in Tuvalu is played at club and national team level. The Tuvalu national football team draws from players in the Tuvalu A-Division; with the national team training at the Tuvalu Sports Ground on Funafuti.[2] The national team competes in the Pacific Games. The national team is controlled by the Tuvalu National Football Association (TNFA), which is an associate member of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) but not a member of FIFA.[3]

Membership

Tuvalu is a member of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC), but not of FIFA. In September 2008, Tuvaluan Prime Minister Apisai Ielemia and the President of the Tuvalu Football Association, Tapugao Falefou, visited the headquarters of FIFA in Zurich, hoping to gain full membership in the organisation.[3] The Tuvalu Football Association continues to seek membership of FIFA with the Dutch Support Tuvalu Foundation assisting Tuvalu with the FIFA application and with the development of football in Tuvalu.[4]

History

South Pacific Games

The Tuvaluan team played three international matches in the 1979 South Pacific Games, held in Fiji. There, the team recorded both a large win, 5–3 against Tonga, and its as of August 2013 worst defeat, losing 18–0 to Tahiti.

It also participated in four games at the South Pacific Games in 2003, again held in Fiji. After defeating Kiribati in their opening game, the Tuvaluan team lost their remaining three matches and finished fourth out of five in Pool A.

Leading up to the 2011 Pacific Games, Tuvalu won 3-0 against Samoa with Alopua Petoa scoring all three goals.[5] In the first game of the 2011 Pacific Games against American Samoa, Tuvalu won 4-0, with Alopua Petoa scoring 3 of the goals.[6] The Tuvaluan team drew the game with Guam 1-1 and lost their remaining matches and finished equal with Guam in Pool A with four points.

World Cup and OFC nations cup qualifications

In 2007, Tuvalu became the first non FIFA member to participate in an official World cup qualifying match.[7] The situation arose when the regional governing body used the 2007 South Pacific Games, as the first stage of the qualification tournament for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and qualification tournament for the 2008 OFC Nations Cup. Tuvalu drew 1–1 with Tahiti with Viliamu Sekifu becoming as the first World cup scorer for his country. The other three fixtures in the tournament ended in defeat and Tuvalu failed to progress from their five team group.

Dutch Support Tuvalu Foundation

The Tuvalu national football team received support from a foundation in the Netherlands.[8] In 2011 the Tuvalu National Football Association signed Dutch coach Foppe de Haan as the coach on a part-time and volunteer basis.[9] De Haan, who previously coached SC Heerenveen, Ajax Cape Town and the Dutch national U-21 team, started his tenure with a 3–0 victory over Samoa, the second largest victory of Tuvalu.[10] De Haan's second match in charge saw a record 4–0 victory recorded over American Samoa in the first match of their 2011 Pacific Games campaign, with a hat-trick from 19-year-old Alopua Petoa. The third match was not as successful, with the side going down 5–1 to Vanuatu.[11] After two more heavy losses, the team won a point in their final South Pacific Games' match against Guam. De Haan left his post after the tournament to rejoin Heerenveen's youth programme.[12]

On August 18, 2013 the Tuvalu national football team went on a three-month tour of the Netherlands. During this tour they played at least 20 friendly matches against local amateur football clubs. Former NAC Breda and De Graafschap coach Leen Looijen was the team's mentor during training in the Netherlands,[2] with the tour organised by the Dutch Support Tuvalu Foundation.[4]

The Tuvalu team and the activities of the foundation Dutch Support Tuvalu are the focus of Mission Tuvalu (Missie Tuvalu) (2013) a feature documentary directed by Jeroen van den Kroonenberg.

Tuvaluan footballers in New Zealand

Tuvaluan footballers play for clubs in New Zealand. Vaisua Liva and Alopua Petoa joined Waitakere City FC in 2012.[13] Meneua Fakasega and Jerome Funafuti also played for Waitakere City FC. Maalosi Alefaio has played for Te Atatu AFC. Togavai Stanley has played for Nauti Power FC, which is a football club of Tuvaluan men living in Auckland, New Zealand.

Selected internationals

Tuvalu national football team (2011)
Date Event/Venue Home Team Opponent Score
September 5, 2011 Pacific Games – New Caledonia  Tuvalu  Guam 1–1
September 3, 2011 Pacific Games – New Caledonia  Tuvalu  Solomon Islands 1–6
September 1, 2011 Pacific Games – New Caledonia  Tuvalu  New Caledonia 0–8
August 30, 2011 Pacific Games – New Caledonia  Tuvalu  Vanuatu 1–5
August 27, 2011 Pacific Games – New Caledonia  Tuvalu  American Samoa 4–0
August 22, 2011Friendly – Fiji  Tuvalu  Samoa 3–0
September 1, 20072007 SPG & 2010 WC Qualifier – Samoa  Tuvalu  Cook Islands 1–4
August 29, 20072007 SPG & 2010 WC Qualifier – Samoa  Tuvalu  Tahiti 1–1
August 27, 20072007 SPG & 2010 WC Qualifier – Samoa  Tuvalu  New Caledonia 0–1
August 25, 20072007 SPG & 2010 WC Qualifier – Samoa  Tuvalu  Fiji 0–16
July 5, 20032003 South Pacific Games – Fiji  Tuvalu  Solomon Islands 0–4
July 3, 20032003 South Pacific Games – Fiji  Tuvalu  Vanuatu 0–1
July 1, 20032003 South Pacific Games – Fiji  Tuvalu  Fiji 0–4
June 30, 20032003 South Pacific Games – Fiji  Tuvalu  Kiribati 3–2
May 1, 2003Fiji  Tuvalu  Fiji 0–9
September 6, 19791979 South Pacific Games – Fiji  Tuvalu  Guam 2–7
September 5, 19791979 South Pacific Games – Fiji  Tuvalu  Kiribati 3–3 (7-5)
September 4, 19791979 South Pacific Games – Fiji  Tuvalu  New Caledonia 2–10
August 31, 19791979 South Pacific Games – Fiji  Tuvalu  Tonga 5–3
August 28, 19791979 South Pacific Games – Fiji  Tuvalu  Tahiti 0–18

Historical Kits

2003 Home
2007 Home
2011 Home

Competitive Record

Pacific Games

Pacific Games Record
Year Round Position Pld W D * L GF GA
Fiji 1979 Quarter-Finals 8th 3 1 0 2 7 31
Samoa 1983 Did Not Enter
New Caledonia 1987
Papua New Guinea 1991
French Polynesia 1995
Fiji 2003 Group Stage 8th 4 1 0 3 3 11
Samoa 2007 Group Stage 9th 4 0 1 3 2 22
New Caledonia 2011 Group Stage 7th 5 1 1 3 7 20
Papua New Guinea 2015 To Be Determined
Total 4/13 0 Titles 16 3 2 11 19 84

Players

2011 Pacific Games squad

The following squad was selected for the 2011 Pacific Games

# Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 GK Katepu Sieni May 11, 1988 3 0 Tuvalu Tofaga
15 GK Faiana Ofati February 2, 1991 0 0 Tuvalu Lakena United
22 GK Jelly Selau July 23, 1983 8 0 Tuvalu Manu Laeva
2 DF Kolone Pokia August 4, 1989 3 0 Tuvalu Tofaga
3 DF Alamoana Tofuola March 28, 1990 5 0 Tuvalu Manu Laeva
4 DF Etimoni Timuani October 14, 1991 6 0 Tuvalu Tofaga
5 DF Ali Takataka April 24, 1988 6 0 Tuvalu Tofaga
11 DF George Panapa October 6, 1992 5 0 Tuvalu Tofaga
24 DF Joshua Tapasei May 30, 1979 8 0 Tuvalu Nauti
25 DF Maalosi Alefaio January 19, 1993 0 0 Armenia Alashkert FC
6 MF Mau Penisula (c) May 15, 1979 14 0 Fiji Addisbrough FC
7 MF Vaisua Liva January 20, 1993 6 0 New Zealand Waitakere City F.C.
8 MF Okilani Tinilau January 2, 1989 3 0 Tuvalu Manu Laeva
10 MF James Lepaio June 9, 1992 5 1 Tuvalu Tofaga
13 MF Togavai Stanley July 9, 1992 4 1 New Zealand Nauti Power FC
14 MF Raj Sogivalu January 19, 1990 3 0 Tuvalu Nauti
16 MF Uota Ale June 6, 1986 2 1 Tuvalu Tofaga
18 MF Meauma Petaia August 15, 1990 2 0 Tuvalu Tamanuku
19 MF Akelei Lima'alofa November 13, 1989 2 0 Tuvalu Manu Laeva
26 MF Jerome Funafuti April 22, 1990 0 0 New Zealand Waitakere City F.C.
21 MF Amatusi Telogo January 30, 1989 0 0 Tuvalu Nanumaga
23 MF Petio Semaia February 23, 1979 6 1 Tuvalu Lakena United
9 FW Lutelu Tiute October 6, 1990 5 1 Tuvalu Tofaga
12 FW Alopua Petoa January 24, 1990 5 6 New Zealand Waitakere City F.C.
20 FW Lopati Okelani August 17, 1988 3 0 Tuvalu Nui

Sources: [14] [15]

Most capped players

Players with an equal number of caps are ranked in chronological order of reaching the milestone.

# Name Career Caps Goals
1 Mau Penisula 2003- 14 0
2 Joshua Tui Tapasei 2003- 8 0
Jelly Selau 2007– 8 0
4 Paenui Fagota 2003-2007 7 1
7 Petio Semaia 2003-2007 6 1
Lalesi Vaia 2003-2007 6 0
Peniuna Kaitu 2003-2007 6 0
Etimoni Timuani 2011– 6 0
Ali Takataka 2011– 6 0
Vaisua Liva 2011– 6 0
13 Alamoana Tofuola 2011– 5 0
George Panapa 2011– 5 0
James Lepaio 2011– 5 1
Lutelu Tiute 2011– 5 1
Alopua Petoa 2011– 5 6

Most goals scored

Top scorer Aloupa Petoa

Goalscorers with an equal number of goals are ranked in chronological order of reaching the milestone.

# Name Career Goals Caps
1 Alopua Petoa 2011– 6 5
2 Lutelu Tiute 2011– 1 5
Togavai Stanley 2011– 1 4
James Lepaio 2011– 1 5
Uota Ale 2011– 1 2
Petio Semaia 2003-2007 1 6
Paenui Fagota 2003-2007 1 7
Vilamu Sekifu 2007-2007 1 3
Kivoli Manoa 2003 1 4

Player of the year

In 2014 for the first time in history a Tuvaluan Player of the year was chosen. Sepetaio Willie was the first player who received this honor.[16]

Managers

Manager Tuvalu career Played Won Drawn Lost Win %
Tuvalu Malu, KokeaKokea Malu 1979 5 2 0 3 40.0
Australia Jerks, TimTim Jerks 2003 5 1 0 4 20.0
Tuvalu Puapua, ToakaiToakai Puapua 2006-2010 4 0 1 3 0.0
Netherlands de Haan, FoppeFoppe de Haan 2011 6 2 1 3 33.3
Netherlands Looijen, LeenLeen Looijen 2013

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Looijen even bondscoach Tuvalu" [Looijen trainer of Tuvalu]. Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). 10 August 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Frew, Craig (9 December 2013). "Tuvalu still dreams of joining Fifa's world football family". BBC Scotland. Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Tuvalu eye place in football family". FIFA. September 22, 2008
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Dutch Support Tuvalu Foundation". Retrieved 10 December 2013.
  5. ↑ "Interview with Alopua Petoa". Oceania No FIFA. 25 January 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  6. ↑ "Interview with Alopua Petoa". Oceania No FIFA. 25 January 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
  7. ↑ "Tuvalu does not sink". Periodismo de fútbol internacional. September 2009.
  8. ↑ "Tuvalu football project - Dutch Support Tuvalu Foundation (in Dutch, English, French and Spanish)".
  9. ↑ "Foppe de Haan gaat nationaal team van Tuvalu trainen". NRC Handelsblad (in Dutch). May 25, 2011. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
  10. ↑ "De Haan start sterk als bondscoach van Tuvalu". Voetbal International (in Dutch). August 22, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
  11. ↑ "Vanuatu have beaten Tuvalu 5–1 in their men's Group A match at Riviere Salée in Nouméa at the XIV Pacific Games". Oceania Football Confederation. August 30, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  12. ↑ De Haan terug bij Heerenveen – De Telegraaf (Dutch)
  13. ↑ "Vaisua Liva and Alopua Petoa start their internship at Waitakere City FC". 12 March 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  14. ↑ Tuvalu Official Team List – OFC
  15. ↑ 2011 Squad – National Football Teams
  16. ↑ "Sepetaio Willie Tuvaluan Football Player of 2014!". Dutch Support Tuvalu Foundation. February 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2015.

External links