Former San Juan Jabloteh striker Willis Plaza is at least one player who should be counting his blessings after taking up an offer to switch alliances to Vietnam, earlier this year.
The 24-year-old former Arima Senior player joined Vietnamese club Navibank Sai Gon on a four-month deal but has already agreed to a new one-year deal with Song Lam FC for next season following his impressive start in Sai Gon colours.
Plaza has netted four goals with four assists in six matches. He has guided Sai Gon to sixth place on the league table. “It’s been a tremendous experience here in Vietnam so far.
The league is very active and the fans make the stadium a very exciting place to be,” Plaza said. “This is a first time experience away from Trinidad for me so I wasn’t sure what to expect especially in a place like Vietnam where I didn’t think football would be this popular. Being away from my family was hard at first but as time passed I became more settled.”
He’s saddened by Jabloteh’s drop from the Pro League but relieved that he doesn’t have to worry about earning a stable income for at least another year or more.
“Things are looking very promising for me over here in Vietnam and I focus on training hard every day and doing as best as possible for Sai Gon. I signed for four months with my current team but I have signed a one year deal with Song Lam (team of Trinidadian teammate Hughtun Hector) for next season.
Hopefully, I can keep up my good form and do even better next season,” Plaza added. Plaza has two international appearances and one goal for T&T in a 4-0 whipping of Antigua and Barbuda in February.
“That has been the highlight of my career so far, being able to make it on the national team. The Pro League was a good start for me because the football is good in the League but it just needs more exposure.
“It is difficult to have much of a future as a player because of the lack of money. I am happy to be out here playing my game and earning more at the same time as well as improving my game.”