Soccer teen’s horrific facial injury while scoring on debut
PORT Darwin forward Wal Jok will have major facial surgery to repair multiple facial fractures.
Jok was injured in an accidental head clash with Mindil opponent Taiki Kudo.
The 19-year-old first year player was in the process of scoring from a diving header in just his third game with the club when the incident occurred.
Port Darwin coach Lee Addison said the club was devastated at the extent of the injury.
"Wal's new to the club, we've only had him for about two months,'' Addison said.
"It's a major injury and we wish him all the best in his recovery and his return to the football club.''
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The incident occurred when Jok scored from a 25th minute diving header.
"He's been playing really well and impressing me a lot at training,'' Addison said.
"So this week we gave him an opportunity to play up top as a lone striker and he was playing really well.
"Unfortunately he set up a passage of play which made one of his teammates turn on the outside and run to the byline before crossing the ball.
"Being the person he is, Wal realised what was happening and went for a diving header that did score.''
Kudo went for an intercept header when the incident occurred and was struck on top of the head.
Addison said the club's medical staff had worked quickly to get the youngster off the ground and straight to hospital for treatment.
"The end result is Wal's in hospital because of the swelling and at least four breaks - three of them major, they have found,'' Addison said.
While the head clash took the gloss off Jok's debut as a striker, it also showed his class.
"If he hadn't got the injury he would have scored at least another three goals for us,'' Addison said.
"He'll come back stronger from this. He's a quality player and we were very lucky to gain his services this season.
"He's part of our youth policy where we're pushing young players through to the senior side in a bid to set up the future of the club.''
Port Darwin officials have spoken to Jok after his conversations with doctors and were told he wants to get back as quickly as possible.
"We've even looked at buying one of those face masks,'' Addison said.
"But it will be six to eight weeks before he even looks at getting back on to the pitch.
Originally published as Soccer teen's horrific facial injury while scoring on debut
