Tando Velaphi
Encyclopedia
Tando Yuji Velaphi is an Australia
n football (soccer) goalkeeper who currently plays for Melbourne Victory in the A-League
. Before joining Victory in 2011, he spent several seasons at , eventually developing into their first-choice 'keeper.
on a football scholarship.
He began his senior career at Perth SC
, and while there, had loan stints at Newcastle Jets and Queensland Roar
. He made his A-League
debut with Queensland on 12 January 2007 in a 2–1 win over Melbourne Victory at Docklands Stadium, his performance in the match earning praise from then-Queensland coach Frank Farina
.
Velaphi was re-signed for Perth Glory as their youth marquee player, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2010/2011 season. The 2009/10 season was Tando's best to date, solidifying his spot between the posts and keeping 9 clean sheets over the course of the campaign.
On 8 February 2011, Melbourne Victory announced that they had signed Velaphi on a two year deal from Perth Glory on a free transfer. He made his début for the Victory in the 2011 AFC Champions League
on 5 April, in a 1–1 draw against Tianjin Teda.
, playing in the 2006 AFC Youth Championship and is currently a member of the Olyroos
. Due to the withdrawal of first-choice Olyroos goalkeeper Danny Vukovic
through suspension, Velaphi was competing with Reading back-up keeper, Adam Federici
to become the Olyroos' starting goalkeeper at the Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament, but made no appearances for the Olyroos
Tando revealed in January 2010 that his long-term ambition is to leave Australia and play regular football in Europe, in the hopes of securing a place on Australia's 2014 World Cup roster.
an and Japanese
parents. He currently lives with fellow Victory team-mate Isaka Cernak
.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n football (soccer) goalkeeper who currently plays for Melbourne Victory in the A-League
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
. Before joining Victory in 2011, he spent several seasons at , eventually developing into their first-choice 'keeper.
Club career
Before his senior career, Velaphi trained at the AIS in CanberraCanberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
on a football scholarship.
He began his senior career at Perth SC
Perth SC
Perth Soccer Club is a football club based in West Perth, Western Australia. It competes in the Football West Premier League.-Perth Italia:...
, and while there, had loan stints at Newcastle Jets and Queensland Roar
Queensland Roar FC
Brisbane Roar Football Club is a professional football club from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia competing in the Hyundai A-League national competition, playing their home games at Suncorp Stadium...
. He made his A-League
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
debut with Queensland on 12 January 2007 in a 2–1 win over Melbourne Victory at Docklands Stadium, his performance in the match earning praise from then-Queensland coach Frank Farina
Frank Farina
Frank Farina OAM is a retired Australian football player. He most currently coaches the Papua New Guinea national football team....
.
Velaphi was re-signed for Perth Glory as their youth marquee player, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2010/2011 season. The 2009/10 season was Tando's best to date, solidifying his spot between the posts and keeping 9 clean sheets over the course of the campaign.
On 8 February 2011, Melbourne Victory announced that they had signed Velaphi on a two year deal from Perth Glory on a free transfer. He made his début for the Victory in the 2011 AFC Champions League
2011 AFC Champions League
The 2011 AFC Champions League was the 30th edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament organized by the Asian Football Confederation , and the 9th under the current AFC Champions League title...
on 5 April, in a 1–1 draw against Tianjin Teda.
International career
Velaphi played for the Young SocceroosAustralia national under-20 football team
The Australia national under-20 association football team, more commonly known as the Young Socceroos, is controlled by Football Federation Australia and represents Australia in international Under 20 or youth football competitions....
, playing in the 2006 AFC Youth Championship and is currently a member of the Olyroos
Australia national under-23 football team
The Australia Olympic football team, more commonly known as the Olyroos, is controlled by Football Federation Australia and represents Australia at association football in the Olympic Games...
. Due to the withdrawal of first-choice Olyroos goalkeeper Danny Vukovic
Danny Vukovic
Danny Vukovic is an Australian football player of Serbian decent. Who has recently signed a three year contract with the Perth Glory, an Australian-based A League franchise.-Club career:...
through suspension, Velaphi was competing with Reading back-up keeper, Adam Federici
Adam Federici
Adam Jay Federici is an Australian football player who plays as a goalkeeper for Football League Championship club Reading and has featured for the Australian national team.-Club career:...
to become the Olyroos' starting goalkeeper at the Football at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament, but made no appearances for the Olyroos
Tando revealed in January 2010 that his long-term ambition is to leave Australia and play regular football in Europe, in the hopes of securing a place on Australia's 2014 World Cup roster.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Finals | Asia | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | CS | Apps | CS | Apps | CS | Apps | CS | ||
| Queensland Roar | 2006–07 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | ||
| Perth Glory | 2007–08 | 8 | 1 | — | — | 8 | 1 | ||
| 2008–09 | 13 | 0 | — | — | 13 | 0 | |||
| 2009–10 | 24 | 9 | 1 | 0 | — | 25 | 9 | ||
| 2010–11 | 28 | 5 | — | — | 28 | 5 | |||
| Total | 74 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 75 | 15 | |
| Melbourne Victory Melbourne Victory Melbourne Victory Football Club is an Australian professional football club based in Melbourne, Victoria, that plays in the A-League.... |
2011–12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Total | 75 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 79 | 15 | |
Personal life
Velaphi was born and raised in Perth to ZimbabweZimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
an and Japanese
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
parents. He currently lives with fellow Victory team-mate Isaka Cernak
Isaka Cernak
Isaka Aongor Cernak-Okanya , better known as Isaka Cernak, is an Australian football player who currently plays for as an attacking midfielder.-Early Life:...
.