Nigel Vanu

Navin Neil Vanu (born Navin Nigel Vanu, 11 August 1989) is a Singaporean footballer who last played as a striker for Woodlands Wellington FC. Apart from playing as a forward, he can also operate effectively as a winger.

Neil Vanu
Neil Vanu in action for Woodlands Wellington in a S.League match against Geylang United at Bedok Stadium on 21 June 2012.
Personal information
Full name Navin Neil Vanu
Date of birth (1989-08-11) 11 August 1989
Place of birth Singapore
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2011 Woodlands Wellington FC 46 (1)
2011–2012 Courts Young Lions 16 (1)
2012 Woodlands Wellington FC 4 (0)
International career
2011 – Singapore Under-23 2 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 4 Nov 2012
In this Indian name, the name Vanu is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Navin Neil.

Club career

Having played for Geylang United and Woodlands Wellington in his youth, Neil was promoted to the senior squad of the Rams in 2010, where he made 28 appearances for the northern side in his maiden season with the senior squad. His speed and nifty footwork were soon noticed by Slobodan Pavković, the coach of the Singapore Under-23 squad and he was soon drafted into the Young Lions in the midst of the 2011 season in preparation for the 2011 Southeast Asian Games held in Indonesia later that year.[1] However, his appearances were limited as he found it hard to break through the squad.

In June 2012, it was announced that Neil Vanu would return to his former club, Woodlands Wellington, during the mid-season transfer window and will be assigned the number 34 jersey.

On 21 June 2012, Neil made his re-debut for Woodlands in a match against Geylang United.[2]

On 23 November 2012, it was announced by Woodlands Wellington that he would not be retained for the 2013 season.[3]

Club career statistics
As of 4 November 2012

Navin Neil Vanu's Profile

Club Performance League Cup League Cup Total
Singapore S.League Singapore Cup League Cup
Club Season Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Yellow card Yellow card Yellow-red card Red card Apps Goals
Woodlands Wellington 2010 9 (19)0001 (2)160010 (21)1
2011 12 (6)1000060012 (6)1
Courts Young Lions 2011 9 (1)100003019 (1)1
2012 1 (5)000001001 (5)0
Woodlands Wellington 2012 3 (1)000300006 (1)0
All numbers encased in brackets signify substitute appearances.

International career

Neil is probably most remembered for being sent off in the Singapore Under-23 team's SEA Games Group A match against Indonesia. He got a red card in the 23rd minute of the match after picking up his second yellow for hitting an Indonesian player while they were tussling for the ball.[4] He has since apologised publicly for the incident.

Neil also left a huge impression by coming on as a substitute against Cambodia and scoring the winner in the 74th minute of the match with a firm header off Yasir Hanapi's cross.[5]

International appearances for U23 teams
National team Year Apps Goals
Singapore U23 201121
Career total 21

International goals
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.9 November 2011Senayan Stadium, Jakarta, IndonesiaCambodia Cambodia2–12–12011 Southeast Asian Games
As of 1 July 2012

References
  1. "Neil Vanu's player profile in the Courts Young Lions page". Courts Young Lions.
  2. "No winners in bottom of the table clash". Archived from the original on 23 January 2013.
  3. "Official Retain List for 2013 Season". Woodlands Wellington Football Club.
  4. "SEA Games Football: 10-man Singapore go down 0–2 to Indonesia". Redsports.
  5. "SEA Games Football: Singapore labour to beat Cambodia 2–1". Redsports.
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