Audley Boyd, Assistant Sport Editor
Former national Under-20 player Howard Wong. - File
HOWARD WONG don't romp to score goals. From the days when he was playing for Vaz in the Prep Schools league straight through to now with his newest team - San Jacinto College in Houston, Texas, the national Under-20 striker has made a habit of 'bussing' the net. And he has many titles to boot.
Wong is already averaging goal-a-game stats in four matches at San Jacinto, where he has just kicked off a scholarship in pursuit of earning a first degree in Business.
"It gives me a chance to further my education and get more exposure (football)," the former Wolmerian told The Gleaner in an interview by phone last week.
Not surprisingly, his exploits on the pitch played a major role in creating the opportunity for extended studies.
LEAGUES PLAYED
"While representing the national Under-20 team we went to the United States to play some Under-20 teams and there were coaches at the games from colleges," explained Wong, who also played on Portmore United's champion Premier League and Under-21 teams last season.
"I think he has tremendous potential," opined national youth coach Patrick 'Jackie' Walters. "I think he's a gifted player with good goalscoring ability."
Referring to one facet of Wong which he thinks needs improvement, Walters commented: "If he can get physically stronger, I think he can be one of our future strikers."
In that regard, the transition to San Jacinto appears to be just what the doctor ordered.
"I'm fitting into the US style of play," Wong said of his brief stint. "Here it's more physical, with a lot of emphasis on strength and tactical plays."
RECRUITMENT EXERCISE
The Under-20 contests that set up this chance at the Texan school turned out to be a fortuitious recruitment exercise in more ways than one, as he was able to advertise his potential further.
He had been doing that for a long time though, much to the detriment of teams dating back to the Vaz days in the Alberga Cup and Henriques Shield competitions from the early to near mid-90s. In the 1993 and '94 seasons, Wong led the school to the Prep championship double and counted off 11 goals in the final year.
At Wolmer's, Wong started out on the Pepsi team in 1999 and won his first title at the Heroes Circle-based institution the following year when they won the Colts competition. The nippy and skilful forward impressed so much that in the same season, even as a junior on the Colts team, he earned a spot on the Manning Cup team.
He would stay a member of the school's big team through to 2003, when he served the last of two seasons as captain. Like a true leader, Wong upped his tally from nine goals apiece in the two previous seasons and scored a whopping 16 goals in the 2003 season to pave the way for their place in the Manning Cup final.
Unfortunately for Wong though, they lost 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out to Norman Manley.
MORE SUCCESS
There was more success lying in wait for the youngster who turns 21 in March next year. It came at Portmore United in the form of the Wray and Nephew National Premier League championship this past season, and the national Under-21 titles this and last year.
The move overseas was always in the making and when it did come, he struck decisively.
"I scored a hat-trick in the first game," Wong noted of his electrifying start.
He has played three more games since and admitted that "... in the second and third games I didn't score but I scored in the last game. In the second and third games I got one assist each."
So far they have notched a perfect record after four matches with respective scores of 4-0, 1-0, 3-0 and 2-1 and given his contribution, the Jamaican youth striker is admired by his teammates.
"They respect me a lot," Wong said. "I don't have to demand the ball because from they see me they give me the ball. It makes my game much easier, I don't get frustrated.
It's the type of thing you wouldn't want to happen to a striker who don't romp to score goals.
