# Alopua Petoa

Alopua Petoa (born 24 January 1990) is a footballer who plays as a forward for FC Tofaga. Born in Nauru, he represented the Tuvalu national team and is their all-time top scorer.

## Early life

Born in Nauru, Petoa started playing football at the age of ten before becoming a naturalized Tuvalu citizen and joining Vatokami in 2005 which would change its name to FC Tofaga the same year.

## Club career

Alopua Petoa was the top scorer in the Tuvalu A-Division competition in 2012 and joint top scorer with James Lepaio in 2021.
In 2012, Petoa was discovered by Dutch manager Foppe de Haan and signed for Dutch side Brabantia along with Vaisua Liva, initially training with their reserve team.
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 is 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 Samoa, scoring a hat-trick in what was Tuvalu's first international match in four years and their highest victory in history.
In 2013 Petoa was called for a tour with Tuvalu football Team that took place in the Netherlands where he scored.
On 8 June 2018 at the CONIFA World Football Cup in London, Petoa scored two goals, putting Tuvalu ahead of Tamil Eelam, only for their opponents to stage a dramatic comeback in stoppage time to win 4–3.

## 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.

## Career statistics
### International

    As of match played 18 July 2019.
Appearances and goals by national team and year :
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
| Tuvalu | 2011 | 5 | 6 |
| Tuvalu | 2012 | 0 | 0 |
| Tuvalu | 2013 | 0 | 0 |
| Tuvalu | 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| Tuvalu | 2014 | 0 | 0 |
| Tuvalu | 2016 | 0 | 0 |
| Tuvalu | 2017 | 5 | 2 |
| Tuvalu | 2018 | 0 | 0 |
| Tuvalu | 2019 | 3 | 1 |
| Total | Total | 13 | 9 |
    Scores and results list Tuvalu's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Petoa goal.
List of international goals scored by Alopua Petoa :
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1 | 22 August 2011 | Fiji | Samoa | 1–0 | 3–0 | Friendly |
| 2 | 22 August 2011 | Fiji | Samoa | 2–0 | 3–0 | Friendly |
| 3 | 22 August 2011 | Fiji | Samoa | 3–0 | 3–0 | Friendly |
| 4 | 27 August 2011 | Stade Rivière Salée, Nouméa, New Caledonia | American Samoa | 1–0 | 4–0 | 2011 Pacific Games |
| 5 | 27 August 2011 | Stade Rivière Salée, Nouméa, New Caledonia | American Samoa | 3–0 | 4–0 | 2011 Pacific Games |
| 6 | 27 August 2011 | Stade Rivière Salée, Nouméa, New Caledonia | American Samoa | 4–0 | 4–0 | 2011 Pacific Games |
| 7 | 5 December 2017 | Korman Stadium, Port Vila, Vanuatu | New Caledonia | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2017 Pacific Mini Games |
| 8 | 15 December 2017 | Port Vila Municipal Stadium, Port Vila, Vanuatu | Tonga | 3–3 | 4–3 | 2017 Pacific Mini Games |
| 9 | 12 July 2019 | National Soccer Stadium, Apia, Samoa | American Samoa | 1–0 | 1–1 | 2019 Pacific Games |
CONIFA goals
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1 | 7 June 2018 | Gander Green Lane, Sutton, England | Tamil Eelam | 1–0 | 3–4 | 2018 CONIFA World Football Cup |
| 2 | 7 June 2018 | Gander Green Lane, Sutton, England | Tamil Eelam | 3–1 | 3–4 | 2018 CONIFA World Football Cup |