Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal, the Malaysian teenager plying his trade in the United States, has been making waves recently with his achievements. The American-born whiz recently signed for Swope Park Rangers, underwent a trial with Dutch club Feyenoord, and even received a call-up to train with the U.S. national U-17 team.
Planet Bola with the assistance of his father, Wan Kamal, managed to get in touch with the 18 year-old recently in sharing his thoughts on the recent developments.
Q: We understand that you’ve committed yourself to the Akron Zips men’s soccer team. Could you tell us a little about it? Also, how does that work out, since you just signed for Swope Park Rangers?
Wan Kuzain: That is correct, I have committed to the University of Akron, one of the top college soccer programs in the country. In my opinion, Akron plays the best style of soccer and it was something that I was drawn to as a number 10. They are national title contenders year in and year out and that is something I want to be a part of as well. Akron also has a history of developing professional players. At the end of the day, the ultimate goal for myself as a player is to be playing professionally.
Wan Kuzain in training. Source: www.sportingkc.com
I recently joined the Sporting Kansas City Academy and from there, I was signed to an Academy Contract with the Swope Park Rangers, a team in the United Soccer League (USL). This Academy Contract means that I’m an amateur and unpaid player which allows me to keep my college eligibility. If I do not sign a professional deal when I graduate high school, I will go to the University of Akron in the fall of 2018.
Q: We also understand that you underwent a trial in the Netherlands with Feyenoord. What do you think are the key differences between soccer in the U.S. and the Netherlands?
Wan Kuzain: I think the biggest difference between soccer in the U.S. and the Netherlands is the culture. In the Netherlands it is a soccer first country and at the end of the day people are fighting for professional contracts.
Wan Kuzain: Football Wonderkid
Q: What an honour it must be to have been called up to train with the U.S. national U-17 team. Could you tell us how that experience has helped you in your development as a player?
Wan Kuzain: The experience is always second to none. To train and play alongside the best players in the country is always an opportunity to learn and grow as a player.
Q: What club do you see yourself playing for in the future?
Wan Kuzain: Hopefully I can progress into Sporting KC's first team. Also one day would like to go to Europe to prove myself with some of the best in the world.
Q: Any chance of you playing for Malaysia someday?
Wan Kuzain: Yeah, it would be an honour to represent Malaysia.
Well, could we even possibly see a skilled and talented midfielder like him don the Malaysian jersey in the future? Let’s keep our fingers crossed.
Source - Tan Beng Jin, Planet Bola
Program Pembangunan Bola Sepak Negara, Tingkat 3, Gimnasium 3, Majlis Sukan Negara, Kompleks Sukan Negara, Bukit Jalil, 57700 Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur
