SINGAPORE PREMIER LEAGUE
Hougang United v Geylang
Jalan Besar Stadium, 5.30pm
He had planned to play it cool after scoring for the first time in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) last weekend, but the teenager inside 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 joy not dissimilar to the Italian Marco Tardelli's iconic 1982 World Cup celebration.
Vasileios, who turned 17 the day after scoring in Geylang International's 1-0 win over Young Lions, became the third-youngest scorer in Singapore's 24-year-old professional football league, and its youngest match-winner.
Hariss Harun, at 16 years and 174 days, tops the list with his 2007 strike for the Young Lions against Singapore Armed Forces FC, followed by Fareez Farhan, who scored in 2011 also for the Young Lions against Warriors FC when he was 16 years and 331 days.
"I had a few things in mind (for the celebration), and I'll usually just jump and pump my fist in the air. But, after I scored, I just lost control of the situation," Vasileios sheepishly told The Straits Times ahead of today's Hougang United game.
Born to a Singaporean father and a Greek mother, he grew up in Kastoria in northern Greece and moved to Singapore when he was 10.
His given name means king in Greek but is a mouthful for Singaporean tongues, so his teammates and coaches call him Bill, a shorter, direct translation.
The first-year Nanyang Junior College student admits he is still learning to juggle his professional football ambitions with his studies 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 and make sure I'm not content with what I have now; I have to keep improving and working hard."
Geylang handler Noor Ali, who coached him 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."
He is hoping his team can continue their good form with a third win on the trot but noted that Hougang, who are third in the table and one spot above Geylang on goal difference, are no pushovers.
It is still early days, but both teams have come a long way from being cellar dwellers last year, and a win would propel either side into second spot for at least 24 hours.
Said Noor Ali: "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 on two or three players."
Lions must want the ball: Yoshida, Football News & Top
Neymar's dad drops huge hint his son could leave PSG in the summer. The Brazilian, 27, has been heavily linked with Barcelona and Real Madrid in the last year
LaLiga: Real Madrid 'meet' with Neymar's father
London - Gareth Bale is still "100 percent" committed to Real Madrid despite speculation over his future, the Wales star's agent insisted on Monday. Former Tottenham winger Bale has been linked
Bale '100 percent' committed to Real claims agent - World
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/04/29/bale-100-percent-committed-to-real-claims-agent/
London (AFP) - Gareth Bale is still "100 per cent" committed to Real Madrid despite speculation over his future, the Wales star's agent insisted on Monday. Former Tottenham winger Bale has been linked with a return to the Premier League after a difficult season with the troubled Spanish club.
Bale committed to Real Madrid says agent - Football
We look for answers everywhere but within ourselves, for this is what we know how to do, this is what we were taught, this is what we were raised to believe. We spend most of our time looking outside ourselves for all the answers to our questions, not understanding that we already possess within ourselves all that we need.
Learning To Trust Yourself Is More Important Than Trusting
Apr 03, 2019 · England soccer captain Harry Kane is made an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by the Duke of Cambridge during an Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, London.
Come July, you'll be able to see some of your favourite European football clubs live in Singapore when they head over for their pre-season friendly matches. These include Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus, and Inter Milan. The International Champions Cup (ICC) organisers made the highly anticipated announcement on Wednesday (27 Mar).
Man City vs. Liverpool, Man Utd vs. Liverpool pick of ICC
Copa del Rey: Valencia to face Barcelona in final after seeing off Real Betis Valencia, who lifted the trophy on their last appearance in the showpiece match in 2008, will meet 30-times winners Barca in the final on May 25 at Betis' Benito Villamarin stadium.
Football news - Valencia to face Barcelona in Copa del Rey
Klopp says he would have paid for four point lead over City. MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - The four point lead Liverpool have at the top of the Premier League even after a 2-1 defeat to rivals
Man City end Liverpool's unbeaten run, cut lead to four
France coach: Women in football face daily battle. 2018, France women's football team coach Corinne Diacre (right) and Eastern football club head coach Chan Yuen-ting pose after an Eastern
Crowds flock to Argentine village to pay tribute to footballer Sala Sport > Football > Britain > France > Crowds flock to Argentine village to pay tribute to footballer Sala By Alexandre PEYRILLE, published 16 February 2019 at 17h52 BST , updated on 16 February 2019 at 21h24 BST .
Crowds flock to Argentine village to pay tribute to
Klopp said the group and fans needed to accept on the off chance that they are to end a 29-year dry spell for an alliance title. "We are attempting to keep this fantasy alive and right now it's everything great. Be that as it may, Chelsea are an extremely troublesome group and they are in a decent minute," Klopp included.
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar