Oscar wants to follow in daddy Kam Fook’s footsteps

Talented: Oscar Wong Tse Yang in action in the Hong Kong Premier League.

PETALING JAYA: It’s one step at a time for Shanghai-born Oscar Wong Tse Yang as he looks to emulate his legendary dad – Wong Kam Fook’s footsteps.

The 23-year-old goalkeeper is among the 27 players called up by the national Under-23 coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee for a centralised training camp from July 1-7 in Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya ahead of the 2018 Indonesia Asian Games in August.

This is his first call-up for the Malaysian team.

Kam Fook, 69, is no stranger to Malaysian football, having been part of the national team who played in the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. It was Malaysia’s one and only appearance at the Olympics.

Oscar said although he would love to become a legend of the game like his father, he’s not thinking too far ahead and just aims to work hard in training to break into Kim Swee’s team.

“This is my first call-up. Previously I was in talks with national team coaches but couldn’t join because of my studies but this time I have decided to put studies on hold,” he said yesterday.

Oscar is in his second year of an Information Technology degree course at the Hong Kong Chinese University.

“I think at 23-years-old, I’m at the best of my physical condition and if I don’t push now it will be too late for me to have a successful career as a footballer so I have decided to defer my studies at the moment.”

“I know there will be comparison with my father but I don’t care about all these comments.

“I just want to train hard and earn my spot in the team first and repay the faith the coaches and my father have on me.”

The 1.88m tall custodian who featured with Biu Chun Rangers in the Hong Kong Premier League said he is looking for trials with the football teams in Malaysia as the Hong Kong season has ended.

“I’m looking forward to play football in Malaysia. I have attended trials with some teams here but I think I will have to wait for the season the end.

“I follow the M-League when I can. I see that football here is quite fast compared to Hong Kong which is more tactical,” said Oscar.

“Honestly I don’t have comprehensive knowledge about the national football team so it will all be a learning curve for me and I’m looking forward to the experience.”