Con Boutsianis. Hiro Ishida. Adrian Trinidad. Adriano Pellegrino. Perth Glory, like most other football clubs around the world, has had its share of players capable of brilliance but equally capable of shocking matches or major brain-fades. Sometimes these players can be described as having 'x-factor'. They're not vital cogs of the team, but they might just win you a match out of nothing.
Another key player in the Perth Glory team could be said to fit into this category, but what makes him stand out is his position. Tando Velaphi is an extremely rare example of an 'impact' goalkeeper. Few names spring to mind when trying to name goalkeepers capable of brilliance but equally capable of disaster. Fabian Barthez or Rene Higuita might spring to mind, but neither had a career quite matching their ability - a fate that might well be in Tando Velaphi's future.
Goalkeepers are quite unlike outfield players. Outfield players can work their way into a game if things aren't going well. Alternatively they can highlight a match with a single moment of inspiration. Goalkeepers are far more likely to highlight a match with a blunder or gaff, and as such consistency and concentration are often more critical than outlandish skill or momentary brilliance.
Velaphi is a classic example of a goalkeeper who has impressed as many fans with his sometimes freakish shot-stopping ability as he has frustrated with his moments of ill-judgement. Being chipped, beaten at the near post, robbed of the ball or bumped into the back of the net has left a large number of fans wondering whether the more-regular-than-most match-winning saves are really worth it. Players with x-factor typically divide fans, but with a goalkeeper's responsibility amplifying the division, Tando's 'v-factor' is just about capable of bringing spectators to blows.
Personally, I'm willing to forgive Tando's misdemeanours because there is little else on the football field I enjoy as much as a flying goalkeeper saving a long-range thunderbolt or a lightning reflex block on a 6-yard drive. I can, however, also sympathise with fans who feel Velaphi's mistakes cost too many points and make him a liability to side. The truth, as usual, probably lies somewhere in the grey zone between the two viewpoints. But then often these same fans (like most non-goalies) expect every keeper to have Peter Schmeichel's presence, Lev Yashin's shot-stopping ability and the distribution of Edwin van der Sar. Usually, they'll follow up their comments with something along the lines of, "It's goalkeeping- how hard can it be? Just don't make any mistakes!"
In truth, Velaphi has probably survived too long at Glory unchallenged. Gone are Tony Franken and Jason Petkovic (both of whom at their best were extremely good goalkeepers). Velaphi has been left to fight off limp challenges from Aleks Vrteski, Frank Juric and an aged Jason Petkovic (the last two in their severely diminished twilights of their careers).
The good news is that with Danny Vukovic looking likely to join Perth Glory next season, Perth may finally secure the 'Mr Consistent' goalkeeper they need. The bad news is the presence of the Premiership medallist will likely force Velaphi to accept a challenge to his first-team spot that he probably won't win or move on to a new club. With NYL and Young Socceroo goalkeeper Alex Pearson pushing for a senior contract next term, it seems likely that this season may indeed be the last we see of Tando at Perth Glory.
Some fans will miss Tando Velaphi if he does leave. It may be for his brilliant saves. It may be for his commitment to the cause. It may be simply because he acts as a trailblazer for both African-Australian and Asian-Australian footballers with his Zimbabwean and Japanese heritages. For those fans that don't miss him, I hope Vukovic proves to be everything they want in a goalkeeper.
I also hope that Tando moves to overseas pastures because you just know that faced against a former club he is far more likely to pull off a match-winning save than blunder a match-losing goal.
*V for Velaphi
