Melbourne City academy prospect Lawrence Wong made history on Saturday afternoon, as the youngest Isuzu UTE A-League goalscorer in the club’s history – and the 17-year-old’s City story gets even better once you know how it started.
Wong first accepted a place in City’s academy in July, 2019 at the age of 11, having impressed in the club’s City Football Schools program.
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Saturday’s meeting with Perth Glory was Wong’s fifth appearance of the season; it’s an occasion the teenager will never forget, with his first senior league goal for the club sealing a valuable three points for Aurelio Vidmar’s side.
In doing so, Wong became the youngest-ever Isuzu UTE A-League goalscorer in City history. The top five goals on that list have all been scored by current City players since December 2023, with each player on the list coming through the club’s academy.
What made Wong’s history-making strike even better was the nature of the finish. Launched from outside the box into the top-left corner, the goal that sealed victory for City came off the 17-year-old’s weaker foot.
“I’ll be honest, in the warm-ups I never shoot with my right foot,” a delighted Wong told Network 10 post-game. “It just came on my right foot, and I just tried my best and it came off well.
“It feels pretty good. It feels better to do it in front of the fans at home, an unreal feeling.”
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Wong isn’t the only member of City’s current senior squad to have travelled the path all the way from the City Football Schools program to the first team, with Jayden Necovski, Peter Antoniou and Lachie Charles all eager to follow Wong into the Isuzu UTE A-League having signed first-team contracts with the club.
“There are a few of us,” Wong added. “It’s just extra special to do it here at the club where I grew up. It’s unreal. It’s a good journey from the academy, the 14s, 15s, they all have the same concept from the 14s to the first team, so that’s helped me ease my way into the first team.”
After the 1-0 win over Glory, City head coach Aurelio Vidmar was asked about Wong’s impact in just his fifth Isuzu UTE A-League appearance.
Vidmar emphasised the point that, although his stellar match-winner was a moment to remember, the 17-year-old is bound to experience plenty of challenges to go with the high points as he continues to find his feet in the senior game.
“It was a nice goal. He’s the youngest player ever here at the club to score a goal, so that’s good for him,” Vidmar said.
“He’s learning a lot of things about working hard and what it’s like to be a good teammate. He’s going to go through ups and downs, and that’s all part of it. He’s pretty level-headed anyway so as long as he keeps listening, keeps learning and keeps pushing himself then he gives himself a good chance.”
