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Jarvis Vaai
Jarvis Vaai Filimalae (born 20 April 2003), commonly referred to as Jarvis Vaai, is a Samoan international footballer who plays as a forward for New Zealand club Nelson Suburbs. Club careerEarly careerVaai developed an interest in football at the age of seven, when his father Alastise became a referee with the Football Federation Samoa (FFS) and Vaai would accompany him to games.[2] He was enrolled in a number of footballing projects in Samoa, including Fun Football, where he was chosen to star in a commercial promoting the various programmes run by the FFS.[2] Having played for Kiwi in his youth, Vaai played for both Samoan club Lupe o le Soaga and New Zealand club Havelock North in the 2020 season.[3][4] In January 2022, after a good season with Havelock North, he was invited to join a football centre in Peru linked with Brazilian professional side Fluminense.[5] Nelson SuburbsIn 2024 he returned to New Zealand, joining Southern League side Nelson Suburbs. International careerVaai was called up to the Samoa under-16 squad for the 2018 OFC U-16 Championship, scoring five goals in the qualification round before adding two more in the competition proper.[6] He was called up to the senior squad for the first time ahead of the 2019 Pacific Games, going on to make his debut at the age of sixteen and providing an assist for Matthew Chant in a 2–0 win against Tonga.[7] In 2024, following a five-year absence from the team, Vaai was called up to the squad again for the 2024 OFC Men's Nations Cup.[8] Later in the same year, he scored his first goal for the nation in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification; the second in a 2–0 win against American Samoa.[9] Personal lifeVaai attended the Hastings Boys' High School in Hastings, New Zealand on a scholarship through an agreement with the FFS.[10] Career statisticsClub
International
International goals
References
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