The move from Lautoka to Nadroga proved to be a major break for his young football career as he stands proud today with the other stars in the country.
Nadroga football side which is known to produce young talent provided Underwood the platform to showcase his talent.
The former national rep who got a break in the senior side last season during the two match international series against Vanuatu is currently in Australia serving family commitments but is expected back soon in the country.
Coming through the secondary schools competition Underwood made it to the national U20 side which participated in the 2007 Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) U20 World Cup playoffs.
The national side was unlucky as they narrowly lost to New Zealand in the final but for Underwood this was a stage where he would make his mark.
Joining Lautoka after the playoffs, things did not go according to plan.
Underwood later was named the national U23 side in 2008 but missed out on final selection.
Seeing a drop in his performance the striker a year later made up his mind and joined Nadroga only to never look back.
Donning the Nadroga colour Underwood featured in the three major local tournaments and the national football league.
In 2011his brilliant performance in the Vodafone Fiji FACT saw him earn a spot in the national senior men’s squad. He later made the cut in the final selection where he would earn his debut against Vanuatu.
“I played for Lautoka in 2007-2008. The journey was alright but I didn’t get enough game time so I decided to move to another district where I could prove myself and so I moved on to play for Nadroga,” Underwood said.
Later in the year he switched codes as he got a call up in the national futsal side for the 2011 OFC Futsal World Cup playoffs.
At just 24 the journey for the young star is not over yet as he has mapped out his plans of what he needs to do next.
“My main aim now is to become a better player and reach higher levels in the sport,” he said.
Profile
FULL NAME: Eran Reno Underwood
DATE OF BIRTH: 24-03-1987
AGE: 24
PLACE OF BIRTH: CWM Hospital,Suva
MARTIAL STATUS: In a Relationship
RACE: Part European
POSITION: Striker
NATIONAL TEAM: U20 (2007- OFC FIFA U20 World Cup playoffs),
U23 (2008- squad member),
National Men’s (2011-earned two caps during two international test match series against Vanuatu); National Futsal side (2011- FIFA Futsal World Cup playoffs)
CURRENT DISTRICT TEAM: Nadroga (from 2010)
PREVIOUS DISTRICT TEAM: Lautoka (2008-2009)
ACHIEVMENTS WITH YOUR DISTRICT TEAM: Featured in the Fiji FACT, Battle of the Giants, Inter District Championship, National League
CURRENT CLUB: Downtown
SECONDARY SCHOOL TEAM: Tilak High U15,U17,U19
PRIMARY SCHOOL TEAM: Lautoka Primary U10
EDUCATION: Secondary School- Tilak High School; Primary School- Lautoka Muslim, Saint Joan Of Arc, Lautoka Primary
HOBBIES: Watching movies, surfing internet, playing soccer
FAMILY BACKGROUND: There’s 6 of us in the family. My dad, mum,2 brothers,1 sister and myself and Brother also plays goalkeeper for a Lautoka club.
FAVOURITE MOVIE: 8 Mile
FAVOURITE ACTRESS: Angelina Jolie
FAVOURITE ACTOR: Dwayne Johnson (The Rock)
YOUR BEST LOCAL FOOTBALLER: Malakai Tiwa
YOUR BEST INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALLER: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal- Real Madrid)
PERSON YOU WOULD LIKE TO MEET: Neymar (Plays for Brazil and Dos Santos)
FIJI FA MEDIA
Worthy move for Eran
