Alopua Petoa
Alopua Petoa (born 24 January 1990) is a footballer who plays as a striker for FC Tofaga. Born in Nauru, he is a Tuvalu international.

Early life

Born in Nauru, Petoa started playing football at the age of ten before becoming a naturalized Tuvalu citizen and helping Tuvaluan side Vatokami win the 2004 Independence Cup.

Club career

In 2012, through Dutch manager Foppe de Haan, Petoa signed for Dutch side Brabantia with Vaisua Liva, which was regarded to have made them more well-known.

In 2013, he signed for New Zealand side Waitakere City with Vaisua Liva, becoming the first professional Tuvaluan players in history.

International career

Petoa has been regarded as one of the best players in Tuvalu and has been the all-time top scorer of the Tuvalu national team.

On 22 August 2011, Petoa debuted for the Tuvalu national team during a 3–0 win over the Samoa, scoring a hat-trick in what was Tuvalu's first international match in four years and their highest victory in history. He then scored for the Tuvalu national team during a 4–3 loss to Tamil Eelam at the 2018 CONIFA World Football Cup.

International goals
Scores and results list Tuvalu's goal tally first.

CONIFA goals

Style of play

Petoa mainly operates as a striker and is known for his dribbling.

Personal life

Petoa had not been in a plane until he arrived in the Netherlands to sign for Dutch side Brabantia.

References

External links

1990 births
Expatriate footballers in the Netherlands
F.C. Tofaga players
Living people
Men's association football forwards
Tuvaluan men's footballers
Waitakere City FC players
People from Yaren District
Nauruan sportsmen
Nauruan emigrants
Immigrants to Tuvalu
21st-century Nauruan people