[1][2][3] After playing as a junior for Melbourne Hungaria, Tapai signed for Footscray JUST ahead of the 1985 National Soccer League season.

[5] He never got much of a chance at Stoke making just once appearance for the club which came as a substitute in a 2–2 draw with Crewe Alexandra in the Football League Trophy on 6 January 1993.

[5] Tapai then signed with Portuguese club Estoril, participating in the 1993–94 Primeira Divisão season, where he scored his only goal against Benfica, but moved back to play in Australia.

Australian manager Terry Venables received criticism for bringing on Tapai in the 1997 World Cup Qualifier against Iran.

Australia needed a goal and Tapai was not the man many viewed as being a viable attacking option.