Teenager Zikos Chua making history in Singapore
As unlikely as it sounds, a new Greek talent is growing in Singapore, with record-breaking teenager Vasilis Zikos Chua catching the headlines with Geylang International.
Watch LIVE GREEK TV including full GREEK SPORTS coverage from AGONASport.com!
Let’s be honest: it’s not often a Greek player makes his name in Singapore. However, 17-year-old Kastoria-native Chua is an exception to the rule, as the talented forward makes rapid progress in Singapore.
Born in Kastoria to a Greek mother and a Singaporean father, Chua spent the first 10 years of his life in Greece before moving to Singapore where he has subsequently let his footballing talent flourish. “When I found out we were leaving Greece, I cried all night,” revealed Chua in an interview. “I was faced with the prospect of losing all of my friends.”
Nevertheless, ever since his family made the decision to up sticks to Singapore, Chua has emerged as one of the country’s biggest prospects. Initially, the striker made his first steps with the National Football Academy, attracting the attention of Geylang International FC with his prolific form in the school leagues. When transferring to Geylang, Chua was assigned to the youth teams, however he was promoted to the senior side in 2018 and recently netted his first goal in the Singapore Premier League.
On April 14, just days before his 17th birthday, Chua became the third youngest scorer in Singapore Premier League history at the age of 16 years and 364 days, hitting the jackpot in a 1:0 away victory against Young Lions. Lurking inside the penalty area, Chua pounced upon the loose ball after it was spilt by the opposing goalkeeper, gleefully lashing it into the gaping net to secure his place in the history books for Geylang:
Regarded as the most promising player in Singapore, Chua’s profile will continue to increase if he begins to score on a more regular basis, and there could be a hugely important international decision on the horizon. Holding dual citizenship, the forward is eligible to represent either Greece or Singapore: “I feel both Greek and Singaporean,” stated Chua. “I grew up in Greece, so the country has a big place in my heart. At youth levels, I have already played for Singapore and I’m proud of that fact, but my final decision will be a very difficult one. I’m not sure which country I will choose.”
Hirotaka Usui, the previous coach of Geylang International in 2018, had shared his opinions on Chua’s potential: “Zikos always scores goals in all training matches. It was his ability which earned him a place in the first team. He’s played against many experienced international players and that earned him more exposure. He is tall and has good size to play as an attacker. I think this is very important for football in Singapore.”
Chua became the youngest ever player to make his debut in the Singapore Premier League when making his first appearance against Young Lions on July 4, 2018.
Greek supporters will certainly be hoping Chua decides to represent the country of his birth assuming he manages to fully realise his potential. Geylang International FC occupy seventh place of the 2019 Singapore Premier League with nine points from the opening eight matches.
Chua stands 184 centimeters tall.
