Raphael Le'ai

Raphael Ohanua Le'ai (born 9 September 2003) is a Solomon Islands footballer who plays as a striker for Telekom S-League club Henderson Eels.

Raphael Le'ai
Personal information
Full name Raphael Ohanua Le'ai
Date of birth (2003-09-09) 9 September 2003
Place of birth Honiara, Solomon Islands
Height 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Striker
Club information
Current team
 Henderson Eels
Number 13
Youth career
2015 Kossa
2016–2018 Marist
2019 Wellington Phoenix
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018 Marist 6 (4)
2019– Henderson Eels 24 (47)
National team‡
2018–2019 Solomon Islands U17 12 (14)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 24 January 2021
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 31 July 2019

Career

Le'ai was born on 9 September 2003 in Honiara. Taking up futsal at the age of 12, he played for local side Kossa before moving to Marist F.C.[1] By the age of 14, Le'ai had impressed enough to be selected for the 2017 OFC Youth Futsal Tournament. Despite being three years younger than some of his opponents, Le'ai shone through as the tournament's best player and top scorer. He was pivotal to the success of the undefeated Solomon Islands team, helping them sweep aside the competition to take the title as well as qualifying for the 2018 Youth Olympics in Argentina.

In September 2018, Le'ai was selected for the 2018 OFC U-16 Championship, held in Honiara. Once again, he was crucial to the success of the Solomon Islands team, scoring seven goals in three consecutive 5–0 wins over Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Vanuatu. Solomon Islands subsequently qualified for the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup by defeating Fiji 3–1 in the semi-final. In the final, he missed a penalty just before full-time, with New Zealand eventually prevailing 5–4 in a penalty shootout.[1]

At the 2018 Youth Olympics, Le'ai scored seven goals as the Solomon Islands were eliminated in the group stage. His talent was noticed by many, including Argentine Primera División club Deportivo Godoy Cruz and Australian A-League side Brisbane Roar. Both clubs offered him a trial, however due to FIFA regulations on youth footballers, he was unable to sign an overseas professional contract before the age of 18.[2][3]

By the end of 2018, Le'ai had made his senior debut for Marist F.C. scoring four goals across six matches in the 2018 Solomon Islands S-League. For 2019, Le'ai was offered a scholarship with New Zealand's Scots College.[4] He ended the season as the league's top scorer, having scored 15 of the team's 41 goals for the season.[5]

Later in 2019, Le'ai signed with Henderson Eels. Shortly after, he was selected to take part in the 2019 U-17 Minsk Tournament and the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where his attacking performances brought him widespread praise.[5] Upon returning to Solomon Islands, he scored 24 goals in seven matches, including a haul of 11 goals in a single match against Real Kakamora.[6][7] At the end of the 2019–20 S-League season, Le'ai was invited to a weeklong trial with A-League side Melbourne Victory.[8]

References
  1. "Raphael Le'ai, an artist in football and futsal". MyCujoo. 2 October 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  2. "A-League club wants Rafa". The Island Sun. 20 November 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  3. "No Argentina trial for Solomon youngster Raphael Lea'i". FootballOceania.com. 29 November 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  4. "Soccer Youngster Off to New Zealand". SolomonTimes.com. 28 February 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  5. "The brilliant year of Raphael Lea'i". OceaniaFootballCenter.home.blog. 30 December 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  6. "Raphael Lea'i scores 11 as Henderson Eels demolishes Kakamora". OceaniaFootballCenter.home.blog. 25 January 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  7. "Raphael Lea'i wins TSL Golden Boot". OceaniaFootballCenter.home.blog. 29 January 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  8. "Raphael Leai & Leon Kofana off for trial with Melbourne Victory". Solomon Islands Football Federation. 29 February 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
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