Bernard pleased with Chong move
Published:Saturday | February 5, 2022 | 12:10 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
As former Harbour View striker Oquassa Chong moves to the next phase of his young career, head coach Ludlow Bernard said that he is proud of him for being able to take a step up after a season in which he was forced to take on the role of the club’s talisman.
Chong signed a five-year deal with Danish Club Esbjerg FB (EfB) on Tuesday after a truncated 2021 campaign which saw him score six goals, tied for the most in the league. Bernard said that Chong’s move was a testament to the growth he showed last year.
“I am very proud because last season when we asked him to take up the responsibility of being the centre forward, it came as a surprise to him. And what happened was what it did it really allowed him to go into the deep end and swim and he did,” Bernard said. “He really did adapt to the league very quickly as throughout the season, he became a target and I think eventually he was able to deal with it.”
The Jamaica College alumnus helped to get Harbour View into the play-offs but they lost to Mount Pleasant in their quarter-final tie. And while it may not have been the most prolific of starts for Chong, Bernard said that his continued growth will help him in his new adventure in Denmark.
GOOD ENVIRONMENT
“It wasn’t all in all a top season but it was one in which I think he would have learned a lot. Had he been available for this season, you would have seen the real Chong. But he is getting himself into an environment that is going to facilitate development. So I think it is the best move for him,” Bernard said.
Chong will be working with former Dutch international Rafael Van der Vaart who is an assistant coach at the club. Director of Football Jens Hammer Sorenson says that he is an ideal project to mould and harness his skills.
“Through our network, we have gained knowledge of Oquassa Chong, who is an exciting, young striker who has untapped potential. Oquassa has so far only performed in his home country Jamaica, so it will be a big step for him to come to EfB, but we are ready to work with him and look forward to the collaboration,” Sorenson said on the club’s website.
They are currently in eighth place in the Danish first division, the country’s second tier.