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 competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Footscray JUST1985National Soccer League223———223
1986National Soccer League264———264
1987National Soccer League212———212
1988National Soccer League170———170
1989National Soccer League140———140
Total10010———10010
Sunshine George Cross1989–90National Soccer League150———150
Adelaide City1990–91National Soccer League94———94
1991–92National Soccer League262———262
Total356———356
Stoke City1992–93Second Division0000001010
Estoril1993–94Primeira Divisão131———131
Gippsland Falcons1994–95National Soccer League205———205
1995–96National Soccer League283———283
Total488———488
Collingwood Warriors1996–97National Soccer League241———241
Perth Glory1997–98National Soccer League152———152
Career total2502800001025128

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Australia199030
199120
1992111
199661
1997103
199841
Total366

Scores and results list Australia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Tapai goal.

List of international goals scored by Ernie Tapai
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
18 July 1992Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide, AustraliaCroatia1–03–1Friendly
227 October 1996Olympic Stadium, Papeete, TahitiTahiti1–06–01996 OFC Nations Cup
311 June 1997Parramatta Stadium, Sydney, AustraliaSolomon Islands8–013–01998 FIFA World Cup qualification
417 June 1997Parramatta Stadium, Sydney, AustraliaSolomon Islands4–06–21998 FIFA World Cup qualification
55–0
611 February 1998Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, AustraliaSouth Korea1–01–0Friendly

Honours

Australia