SINGAPORE - He had planned to play it cool, but after scoring for the first time in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) last weekend, Geylang International's teenage striker Vasileios Zikos Chua could not contain himself.
He wheeled away from goal at full speed, arms outstretched, and screamed at the top of his lungs, in an expression of pure joy not too dissimilar to former Italy striker Marco Tardelli's iconic manic celebration at the 1982 World Cup.
Vasileios, who turned 17 the day after scoring in Geylang's 1-0 win over Young Lions, became the third-youngest player to score in Singapore's 24-year-old professional football league, and its youngest match-winner.
Hariss Harun (16 years, 174 days) is the youngest scorer in the league when he netted against SAFFC in 2007, while Fareez Farhan (16 years, 331 days) is the next-youngest when he scored in 2011.
"I had a few things in mind (for the celebration), and usually I'll just jump and pump my fist in the air.
"But after I scored, I just lost control of the situation," the youngster sheepishly told The Straits Times, ahead of Geylang's game against Hougang United on Saturday (April 20).
Born to a Singaporean father and a Greek mother, Chua grew up in Kastoria, northern Greece, and moved to Singapore when he was 10.
His given name, Vasileios, means "King" in Greek, but is a mouthful for Singaporean tongues, and so his teammates and coaches call him "Bill", a shorter, direct translation.
Chua acknowledges he is still learning to juggle his professional football ambitions with his studies - he is a first-year student at Nanyang Junior College - but adds that milestones, like his maiden strike, give him the motivation to keep going in both.
"It was an extremely special moment, and it meant a lot to me," he said.
"Growing up and wanting to be a professional, it's a huge landmark to get your first goal. It was a dream come true.
"All I want to do now is give 100 per cent in all the games I play, and make sure I'm not content with what I have now; I have to keep improving and working hard."
Geylang coach Noor Ali, who coached Vasileios at Tanjong Katong Secondary School for four years, said: "Bill is a smart boy. As a coach, I'm proud to see a young player who can balance his studies and football, because I think that comes only with the right attitude.
"But he has just turned 17, and football-wise, he still has a long way to go."
Noor is hoping his side can continue their good form with a third win on the trot but noted Hougang, who are one spot above fourth-placed Geylang on the SPL table, are no pushovers.
It is perhaps a testament to the improvement of both teams - who occupied the bottom two spots last season - that a win for either on Saturday would propel them up to second in the league for at least 24 hours.
"We'll go out and play our normal game, but we also know Hougang have good quality and depth in their squad, and we have to keep an eye out for two or three players," said Noor.
"Both teams want to do well and move up the table, so I'm expecting a tough game."
In November 2009, Singapore hosted Thailand at the National Stadium and lost 3-1, but won the return fixture 1-0 a few days later, earning Singapore their first victory on Thai soil in 48 years. Singapore next hosted Iran, losing 1-3, and the 1-2 defeat against Jordan which followed ended their hopes of Asian Cup football in 2011.
'Internet addiction a mental disorder'
malaysia.shafaqna.com/EN/AL/502806
Football: Ikhsan Fandi the match-winner as Singapore Under-22s beat Thais 1-0 to capture Merlion Cup - straitstimes Respect PM's decision on MACC chief's post, says Mukhriz
Newspapers | Media | Virginia Bus
virginiabus.info/news/world-briefs-teen-climate-activist-to-get-human-rights-award/
Football: Italy upset Australia at Women's World Cup with Bonansea double; Football: Polish fans fined for fighting each other before Euro qualifier, team beat North Macedonia for 3rd win; Football: Ikhsan Fandi the match-winner as Singapore Under-22s beat Thais 1-0 to capture Merlion Cup
West African farm bootcamp gets green entrepreneurs into shape
malaysia.shafaqna.com/EN/AL/503292
Football: Ikhsan Fandi the match-winner as Singapore Under-22s beat Thais 1-0 to capture Merlion Cup - straitstimes Respect PM's decision on MACC chief's post, says Mukhriz
By Richard Martin. BARCELONA (Reuters) - Lionel Messi became the first man to score 400 La Liga goals as Barcelona eased to a 3-0 win at home to Eibar on Sunday which kept the Catalans five points clear at the top of the standings at the halfway point of the season.
Lionel Messi scores 400th Barcelona goal in 3-0 win over
MANCHESTER United caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said the owners of Norwegian club Molde sent him to Old Trafford with their blessing and asked him to try to turn his temporary stint at the club into a permanent role.
Football: Molde owners will support me if I stay at
West Ham United's U23s will have extra motivation to beat London rivals Arsenal at London Stadium on Friday in Premier League 2, according to midfielder Conor Coventry. The Hammers were overcome 1-0 by Derby County on Monday in their penultimate Division 1 game of the campaign, and will be looking
Motivator (horse) - Wikipedia
Trains London to Derby - Train Timetables & Cheap Tickets
The Spanish champions were dumped out of the Champions League despite taking a 3-0 lead to Anfield and the fall out could be serious for Coutinho and for coach Ernesto Valverde as well. Some
How to say axe in Spanish - wordhippo.com
Feb 24, 2019 · James said of the inexperienced Lakers. After Laker loss to Pelicans, LeBron James frustrated with team's 'sense of urgency' Nick Nurse to become Canadian national team head coach
Lakers coach Luke Walton takes blame for Bucks loss
Ten-man Schalke draw blank ahead of Manchester City clash | Football News February 16, 2019 John Football 0 BERLIN: Schalke 04 warmed-up for the Champions League visit of Manchester City with a goalless draw at home to fellow Bundesliga strugglers Freiburg on Saturday.
Ten-man Schalke draw blank ahead of Man City clash - Punch
Football: Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi says he will miss rest
Football: Valencia chairman Murthy says King's Cup victory 'icing on the cake' to a fine season - The Straits Times In just five seasons after taking over in 2014, Peter Lim's Valencia are entering their most successful era in recent years.
Messi and youngster Munir get Enrique's Barcelona off to a
Pep Guardiola is confident his achievements at Manchester City will not be tarnished by UEFA's investigation into alleged Financial Fair Play (FFP) breaches and trusted the club to resolve the
Guardiola trusts Man City to resolve FFP allegations - Reuters
0 comments:
Post a Comment