Fiji top keeper joins Hekari Utd

FIJI’S top choice goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau jetted out of the country last Friday to join  Papua New Guinea’s Hekari United Football Club for the FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, next month.
The Club World Cup is from Dec 8-18.
Tamanisau, who plays for the Rewa Football Club, was approached by Hekari FC after a sterling performance for the Delta Tigers during the Battle of the Giants and Inter District Championship soccer tournaments this season.
Tamanisau made his debut for Hekari against the Solomon Islands champions, Koloale, and helped the home side to an impressive 4-0 victory.
The 28-year-old police officer, pushed first-choice-goalkeeper Gure Gabina to the bench and took control of the goalkeeping duties throughout the 90 minutes of play.
Tamanisau brings to five the number of Fijians playing for Hekari. The others are Pita Bolaitoga, Tuimasi Manuca, Malakai Tiwa and Osea Vakatalesau, who is still waiting ITC clearance to participate.
Rewa president Pranil Singh told Fijilive Sports last month that he was holding negotiations with Hekari officials after confirming that the PNG champions had shown interest in the police officer.
Singh said they were working on details of a possible contract with the PNG champion club.
“Hekari are interested in signing Simione for the Club World Cup which will be played in December and, currently, I am negotiating the deal,” he said.
“The Hekari officials are in touch with me and, if all works out well, then Simione should feature for them in the Club World Cup.
“It will not only be a big break for him but also for Rewa as he will become the first Rewa player to feature in the FIFA Club World Cup.
“His participation should also be a boost for the national team as he is the first choice national goalkeeper,” Singh said.
He has already been registered by Hekari for the 2010-11 O-League and could feature in the regional meet as well apart from playing in the Club World Cup.
Rewa coach Manoj Kumar said this was a milestone achievement for the Delta Tigers goalkeeper who had an outstanding season.
“I believe he will play to his best out there. This will be another opportunity for him to expose his talent. Already he has the experience and I think he will deliver his best at this world event,” Kumar said.
He added that it was a dream come true for Tamanisau, who had worked tirelessly for Rewa throughout the season.
Tamanisau will be under the guidance of Reaz Moorad, the New Zealand Football high performance goalkeeping coach.