Ernie Tapai (born 14 February 1967) is an Australian former professional soccer player who spent the majority of his career in the Australian National Soccer League (NSL). He also had stints in England, Portugal and Singapore. Tapai played 52 times for Australia, including 37 times in full international matches.
Early life Tapai was born in Subotica, Yugoslavia (now in Serbia). He migrated to Australia with his parents as a young child.
Club career After playing as a junior for Melbourne Hungaria, Tapai signed for Footscray JUST ahead of the 1985 National Soccer League season. He made at age 18 in the National Soccer League. After playing with Sunshine George Cross and Adelaide City Tapai moved to Europe to play for English side Stoke City.Stoke City. He never got much of a chance at Stoke making just once appearance for the club which came as a substitute in a 2–2 draw with Crewe Alexandra in the Football League Trophy on 6 January 1993.
Tapai then signed with Portuguese club Estoril, participating in the 1993–94 Primeira Divisão season, where he scored his only goal against Benfica, but moved back to play in Australia. He went on to play for Gippsland Falcons and Perth Glory before playing for three years in Singapore with Home United and Clementi Khalsa and retired after the 2002 season with Westgate.
After ending his playing career Tapai went into coaching.
International career Tapai played 52 games (37 'A' games) for the Australia national team between 1986 and 1998. He was part of the Australia squad that claimed 2nd place at the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup. Australian manager Terry Venables received criticism for bringing on Tapai in the 1997 World Cup Qualifier against Iran. Australia needed a goal and Tapai was not the man many viewed as being a viable attacking option.
Tapai was an Australian schoolboys representative, earning selection in 1984.
Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsFootscray JUST1985National Soccer League223———2231986National Soccer League264———2641987National Soccer League212———2121988National Soccer League170———1701989National Soccer League140———140Total10010———10010Sunshine George Cross1989–90National Soccer League150———150Adelaide City1990–91National Soccer League94———941991–92National Soccer League262———262Total356———356Stoke City1992–93Second Division0000001010Estoril1993–94Primeira Divisão131———131Gippsland Falcons1994–95National Soccer League205———2051995–96National Soccer League283———283Total488———488Collingwood Warriors1996–97National Soccer League241———241Perth Glory1997–98National Soccer League152———152Career total2502800001025128
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsAustralia19903019912019921111996611997103199841Total366
Scores and results list Australia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Tapai goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Ernie TapaiNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1 8 July 1992 Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide, Australia 1–0 3–1 Friendly2 27 October 1996 Olympic Stadium, Papeete, Tahiti 1–0 6–0 1996 OFC Nations Cup3 11 June 1997 Parramatta Stadium, Sydney, Australia 8–0 13–0 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification4 17 June 1997 Parramatta Stadium, Sydney, Australia 4–0 6–2 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification5 5–06 11 February 1998 Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, Australia 1–0 1–0 Friendly
Honours Australia FIFA Confederations Cup: runner-up, 1997 OFC Nations Cup: 1996; runner-up, 1998
References