Tando Velaphi
{{Short description|Australian soccer player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=February 2012}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Tando Velaphi
| image = Melb victory - Tando Velaphi.jpg
| image_size = 220
| caption = Velaphi training with Melbourne Victory in 2011
| fullname = Tando Yuji Velaphi[https://archive.today/20120710100936/http://asia.eurosport.com/football/person_prs155843.shtml Tando Yuji Velaphi at Eurosport]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|4|17|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Perth, Western Australia
| height = {{convert|1.86|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| position = Goalkeeper
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Perth SC
| youthyears2 = 2004–2006
| youthclubs2 = AIS
|years1 = 2006–2007
|clubs1 = Perth SC
|caps1 = 12
|goals1 = 0
|years2 = 2007
|clubs2 = → Queensland Roar (loan)
|caps2 = 1
|goals2 = 0
|years3 = 2007–2011
|clubs3 = Perth Glory
|caps3 = 74
|goals3 = 0
|years4 = 2011–2013
|clubs4 = Melbourne Victory
|caps4 = 3
|goals4 = 0
|years5 = 2013–2016
|clubs5 = Melbourne CityThe team was known as Melbourne Heart prior to 2014
|caps5 = 22
|goals5 = 0
|years6 = 2016–2017
|clubs6 = Shonan Bellmare
|caps6 = 5
|goals6 = 0
|clubs7 = Wellington Phoenix Reserves
|years7 = 2018
|caps7 = 1
|goals7 = 0
|years8 = 2018
|clubs8 = Wellington Phoenix
|caps8 = 4
|goals8 = 0
|years9 = 2018–2021
|clubs9 = Perth Glory
|caps9 = 7
|goals9 = 0
|years10 = 2022–2024
|clubs10 = Kochi United
|caps10 = 36
|goals10 = 0
|nationalyears1 = 2006
|nationalteam1 = Australia U20
|nationalcaps1 = 6
|nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2007
|nationalteam2 = Australia U23
|nationalcaps2 = 7
|nationalgoals2 = 0
| pcupdate =
| ntupdate =
}}
Tando Yuji Velaphi (born 17 April 1987) is an Australian former professional football player who played as a goalkeeper.
Club career
=Early playing career=
=Perth SC (2006–2007)=
Velaphi began his senior career at Perth SC and while there, had loan stints at Newcastle Jets and Queensland Roar.
==Loan to Queensland Roar==
Velaphi made his A-League debut with Queensland Roar 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.{{cite news|title=Farina's praise for kid gloves Velaphi|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/farinas-praise-for-kid-gloves-velaphi/2007/01/14/1168709615674.html|accessdate=10 May 2011|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=15 January 2011}}
=Perth Glory (2007–2011)=
Velaphi was re-signed for Perth Glory as their youth marquee player, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2010–11 season. The 2009–10 season was Velaphi's best, solidifying his spot between the posts and keeping 9 clean sheets over the course of the campaign.
=Melbourne Victory (2011–2013)=
On 8 February 2011, Melbourne Victory announced that they had signed Velaphi on a two-year deal from Perth Glory on a free transfer.[http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/a-league/news/1043967/Victory-snaps-up-Velaphi Victory snaps up Velaphi] He made his début for the Victory in the 2011 AFC Champions League on 5 April, in a 1–1 draw against Tianjin Teda.{{cite web|last=Twomey|first=Liam|title=Velaphi loving life at Victory|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/MensU23/default.aspx?s=aus_u23men_newsfeatures_news_item&id=39519|work=Sportal|accessdate=10 May 2011|date=12 April 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011145014/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/MensU23/default.aspx?s=aus_u23men_newsfeatures_news_item&id=39519|archivedate=11 October 2012}} He managed to play 4 out of the Victory's 6 Asian Champions League games. Unfortunately for Tando, he suffered an injury in the pre-season, just after the AFC Champions League, causing him to sit out for the vast majority of the season. He made his official A-League debut for the Victory in Round 26, the penultimate round of the season against the Wellington Phoenix at AAMI Park, a match in which the Victory won 3–0. He appeared in the following round against Perth Glory at Nib Stadium, but the Victory slumped to a 4–2 defeat.
Velaphi made his first appearance of the 2012–13 A-League season in the Victory's Round 3 match against Adelaide United, a match which the Victory won 2–1. He was then replaced in the starting lineup by Nathan Coe, and failed to make another appearance in the season.
Velaphi, along with teammates Diogo Ferreira, Spase Dilevski and Sam Gallagher, was released by Melbourne Victory in April 2013, shortly after the end of the 2012–13 A-League season.{{cite web |url=http://www.melbournetimesweekly.com.au/story/1443848/ferreira-and-dilevski-among-four-cut-loose-by-victory/?cs=12 |title=Ferreira and Dilevski among four cut loose by Victory | Melbourne Times Weekly |accessdate=2013-06-11 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130616020639/http://www.melbournetimesweekly.com.au/story/1443848/ferreira-and-dilevski-among-four-cut-loose-by-victory/?cs=12 |archivedate=16 June 2013}} In his three years at the club, Velaphi made just 3 out of a possible 56 appearances for the club.
=Melbourne Heart / City (2013–2016)=
Following his release from the Victory, he joined cross town rivals Melbourne Heart on a one-year deal. He managed to play the last three matches of the 2013/14 season. Velaphi has also signed on for another 1-year deal with the Melbourne Heart after much discussion.
After a successful 2014/15 season where he became Melbourne City's first-choice goalkeeper, Velaphi signed a new contract keeping him at City until the end of the 2016/17 A-League season.{{Cite web|url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2015/07/08/velaphi-signs-new-melbourne-city-deal|title=Velaphi signs new Melbourne City deal}}
He was released during the January transfer window of the 2015–16 A-League season to pursue opportunity overseas.{{cite news|title=City Release Velaphi, Sign Bouzanis|url=http://www.melbournecityfc.com.au/article/city-release-velaphi-sign-bouzanis/1wsqqdyb3ogeq140rfurrwm39f|accessdate=6 January 2016|publisher=Melbourne City|date=6 January 2016|archive-date=26 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126193601/http://www.melbournecityfc.com.au/article/city-release-velaphi-sign-bouzanis/1wsqqdyb3ogeq140rfurrwm39f|url-status=dead}}
=Wellington Phoenix (2018)=
After limited appearances at Shonan Bellmare, Velaphi returned to the A-League, signing a deal with Wellington Phoenix until the end of the 2017-2018 season. On his debut he saved a penalty from Diego Castro.{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/101066589/wellington-phoenix-add-all-whites-striker-monty-patterson-on-loan-from-ipswich|title=Wellington Phoenix add All Whites striker Monty Patterson on loan from Ipswich|first=Phillip|last=Rollo|newspaper=Stuff.co.nz|date=1 February 2018}}
=Return to Perth Glory (2018–2021)=
In July 2018, Velaphi re-joined Perth Glory on a one-year contract, expected to create competition with Liam Reddy and Nick Feely for the number one goalkeeper position.{{cite news|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com.au/news/tando-velaphi-returns-for-glory-496504|title=Tando Velaphi returns for Glory|newspaper=FourFourTwo|date=2 July 2018|access-date=2 July 2018|archive-date=2 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702094609/https://www.fourfourtwo.com.au/news/tando-velaphi-returns-for-glory-496504|url-status=dead}} Velaphi was released from the Glory at the end of the 2019–20 A-League.{{cite news|url=https://www.perthglory.com.au/news/squad-latest|first=Gareth|last=Morgan|date=1 September 2020|accessdate=1 September 2020|website=Perth Glory FC|title=Squad Latest}}
Two months later he returned to Perth having signed a 1-year contract on 10 November 2020, the same day the side released Daniel Margush to move to the Western Sydney Wanderers FC.
= Return to Japan and Joined to Kochi United SC (2022–2024) =
After spending three years at Perth, he confirmed his departure from Australian football on 11 February 2022, as he was officially announced as a new signing of Kochi United SC. It marked his return to Japan after six years spent playing overseas.{{cite web|url=http://kochi-usc.jp/news/news-29101/|title=タンドゥ・ベラフィ選手 入団のお知らせ |publisher=高知ユナイテッドSC|date=2022-02-11|accessdate=2023-01-09}} On 9 February 2024, Velaphi announced his retirement from professional football.{{cite web|url=http://kochi-usc.jp/news/news-40343/|title=タンドゥ・ベラフィ 選手 現役引退のお知らせ |publisher=高知ユナイテッドSC|date=2024-02-09|accessdate=2024-09-30}}
International career
Velaphi played for the Young Socceroos, 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 Beijing Olympics, but made no appearances for the Olyroos.
Tando revealed in January 2010 that his long-term ambition was to leave Australia and play regular football in Europe, in the hopes of securing a place on Australia's 2014 World Cup roster.[http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/tando-velaphi-looks-to-2014-world-cup/story-e6frg1wu-1225815593474 Tando Velaphi looks to 2014 World Cup]
Personal life
Velaphi was born in Perth, Western Australia. His mother is Japanese and his father is Zimbabwean.{{cite news|title=Danny Vukovic fails in bid to go to Beijing|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/soccer/vukovic-fails-in-olympics-bid/story-e6frfg8x-1111115694839|accessdate=29 January 2011|newspaper=Herald Sun|date=5 March 2008}}{{cite news|title=Nervous Tando steps in for Roar|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/soccer/nervous-tando-steps-in-for-roar/story-e6frey4r-1111112817227|accessdate=29 January 2011|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=11 January 2007|agency=Australian Associated Press}} Velaphi is currently studying in Bachelor of Business (Sport Management) at Deakin University.{{cite web |title=Elite Athlete Program Profiles |url=https://www.deakin.edu.au/students/student-life-and-services/get-involved/elite-athlete-program-profiles |publisher=Deakin University |access-date=27 March 2023}}
A-League career statistics
{{updated|16 September 2014}}
CS = Clean Sheets
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | ||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="2"|League !colspan="2"|Finals !colspan="2"|Cup !colspan="2"|Asia1 !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps
!CS !Apps !CS !Apps !CS !Apps !CS !Apps !CS | ||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Queensland Roar
|1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 |
| Total
!1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
!1 | 0 |
| rowspan="5"|Perth Glory
|8 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 12 | 2 | |
| 2008–09
|13 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 1 | |
| 2009–10
|24 | 9 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 25 | 9 | |
| 2010–11
|28 | 4 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 28 | 4 | ||
| Total
!73 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0
!78 | 16 |
| rowspan="4"|Melbourne Victory
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 2011–12
|2 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 1 | ||
| 2012–13
|1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | |
| Total
!3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0
!7 | 1 |
| rowspan="3"|Melbourne City
|0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2014–15
|0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 3 | |
| Total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
!0 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|A-League total
!77 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0
!86 | 17 |
1 - AFC Champions League statistics are included in season ending during group stages (i.e. ACL 2011 and A-League season 2010–11 etc.)
Japan career statistics
{{updated|the start from 2023 season}}.
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan=2 | Club
! rowspan=2 | Season ! colspan=3 | League ! colspan=2 | National Cup ! colspan=2 | League Cup ! colspan=2 | Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division
! Apps | Goals
! Apps | Goals
! Apps | Goals
! Apps | Goals | ||||||
| colspan=3 | Japan
! colspan=2 | League ! colspan=2 | Emperor's Cup ! colspan=2 | J. League Cup ! colspan=2 | Total | ||||||||||
| rowspan="3"|Shonan Bellmare | 2016 | J1 League | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| 2017 | J2 League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| colspan=2 | Total
!5||0||1||0||3||0||9||0 | ||||||||||
| rowspan="3"|Kochi United SC | 2022 | rowspan="2"|Japan Football League | 30 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan=2 | Total
!30||0||2||0||0||0||32||0 | ||||||||||
| colspan=3 | Career total
!35||0||3||0||3||0||41||0 |
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{soccerway|tando-velaphi/17569}}
- {{J.League player}}
{{Australia Squad 2008 Summer Olympics}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Velaphi, Tando}}
Category:Australian men's soccer players
Category:Australian people of Japanese descent
Category:Sportspeople of Japanese descent
Category:Australian people of Zimbabwean descent
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:Soccer players from Perth, Western Australia
Category:Australian Institute of Sport soccer players
Category:Perth Glory FC players
Category:Brisbane Roar FC players
Category:Melbourne City FC players
Category:Shonan Bellmare players
Category:Wellington Phoenix FC players
Category:Kochi United SC players
Category:Japan Football League players
Category:Australian expatriate men's soccer players
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Japan
Category:Olympic soccer players for Australia
Category:Footballers at the 2008 Summer Olympics