Nauti F.C.

Nauti FC is a Tuvalu football club from Funafuti, playing in the Tuvalu A-Division.

Nauti FC
Full nameNauti Football Club
Founded1980
GroundTuvalu Sports Ground,
Funafuti, Tuvalu
Capacity1,500
ChairmanPatoa Lauti
CoachAso Tapumanaia
LeagueTuvalu A-Division
20141st

The team's home ground is the Tuvalu Sports Ground, the only football field in Tuvalu. Nauti is one of the most successful teams in Tuvalu, with the most trophies of all the nations teams. Nauti plays on an amateur level, as do all the teams in Tuvalu. They also have a reserve squad and a women's team.

History

Nauti was founded in 1980, under the name Combined Devils. The name was initiated by Mr Igatia Talesi. In 1976, he started a mixed team of men from Funafuti and other Tuvalu Islands with the name Combined Devils.

It was in 1980, that Nauti/Combined Devils was officially recognised as the Funafuti Soccer Team. The team's first red uniform was sponsored by his Excellency the Right Hon. Kamuta Latasi. Years later, the team is still using the red color uniforms, the patterns varies but remains red and white. Nauti won the independence Cup in 1988, it was the first price won by the team and also in 1990 and 1999. In 2001 the name of the team was changed into Nauti FC.

During 1980–1990 the team was never defeated by Vaitupu, Nukulaelae, Naumaga, Nui or the Tuvalu police Team. It was only defeated once by Nukufetau (penalty kicks in 1982) once by Nanumea and once by Nuitao (Knock out tournaments). In the League Tournament Nauti was never defeated in the period 1980–1990. In 1991 the airfield was tar-sealed and soccer tournaments in the capital Funafuti came to a standstill. Soccer games were first played again in 1997.

Nauti played several finales for the Independence Cup. They won the cup in 2003, 2008 and 2009. Nauti is the most successful club in Tuvalu, having won the most titles in the Tuvalu A-Division of all the teams in Tuvalu. The Tuvalu A-Division was formed in 2001. Nauti won their first A-Division title in 2005. From 2007 on they won the league seven times in a row. 2009 was the most successful year for Nauti FC, winning a total of three trophy's.[1]

Nauti FC

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 GK Jay Timo (vice-captain)
2 DF Taulau Loto
3 DF Puleuta Satalaka
4 MF Tapeni Letueti
5 DF Kalamelu Papamau
6 DF Paulo Satalaka
7 MF Sosene Vailine
8 FW Sili Fakasega
9 MF Paulo Loto
10 MF Jeff Logo
No. Position Player
11 FW Taufaiva Ionatana
12 FW Feleti Sente
13 MF Afele Valoa (captain)
14 FW Jeff Iefata
15 DF John Tevesi
16 MF Maleko Heiloa
17 DF Katesa Pole
18 DF Manao Manao

Nauti B

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
GK Lomisia Lota
DF Josh Tui
DF Magaono Panapa
DF Jeff Melo
DF Kaunatu Kilisi
MF Julie Niu
MF Pouesi Kofe
No. Position Player
MF Vaiuuli Pelekata
FW Joe Ioelu
FW Paul Driessen
FW Norm Tufa
FW Tanelua Kausea

Honours

League

Cup

See also

References

  1. "Competition A-Men". TNFA. 4 April 2013. Archived from the original on 27 April 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
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