Shaun Ontong

Football player infobox
playername = Shaun Ontong
fullname = Shaun Paul Ontong


dateofbirth = birth date and age|1987|3|25
cityofbirth = Canberra
countryofbirth = Australia
height = height|m=1.75
currentclub = Newcastle Jets
clubnumber = 14
position = Right Winger, Right Back
youthyears =
2001
2004
2006
youthclubs = Belwest
Belconnen United
ACTAS
AIS
years = 2007–2008
2008–"present"
clubs = Adelaide United
Newcastle Jets
caps(goals) = 9 (0)
0 (0)
nationalyears = 2006
nationalteam = Australia U-20
nationalcaps(goals) =
pcupdate = 18 December 2007
ntupdate = 18 December 2007

Shaun Ontong (born March 25, 1987 in Canberra) is an Australian football (soccer) player who currently plays for ALeague NUJ in the A-League.

Club career

Shaun grew up in Canberra playing junior football for local clubs Belwest Foxes and later Belconnen United, [ [http://www.belwestsoccer.com/news/ShaunOntong.htm Shaun Ontong] ] and watching the Canberra teams such as the Canberra Cosmos playing in the NSL. In 2006 he was awarded a place in the AIS football program. [ [http://www.ausport.gov.au/fulltext/2006/ascmedia/20060405.asp 2006 AIS/Australian Men’s Football (soccer) program launched] ]

In late 2006, he trialled with German club 1. FC Nürnberg, [cite news |url=http://www.fcn.de/index.php?id=12486 |title=Derby is good thing |language=German |accessdate=2008-05-19 |date=2006-08-30 |publisher=1. FC Nürnberg ] but suffered a groin injury during the trial and returned to Australia. [citenews|url=http://www.capitalfootball.com.au/uploads/Ontong%20by%20EF.pdf |title=Canberran hoping for an A-League return |first=Flanagan |last=Eamonn |work=Capital Football |date=2007-08-01 |accessdate=2007-08-17] He spent time briefly with ALeague MV before heading back to Europe, trialling first with FC Sion and later in Slovenia with NK Maribor and Bela Krajina, but his recurrent injury forced another return home. In June 2007, he signed with ALeague AU on a one-year contract as one of the clubs three required youth players. [citenews|title=Adelaide signs two youngsters|url=http://www.a-league.com.au/default.aspx?s=hal_newsdisplay&id=18069|date=2007-06-12|accessdate=2007-06-14]

He made quite an impression early in the season, and numerous injuries to first team players enabled him to break into the squad. In particular a game against Newcastle, playing the last 40 minutes, he was ruthless and disciplined, providing cover on the left side of defense for an out-of-sorts Pantelis. Several strong and rough challenges, as well as a distinctive hair-cut, singled him out to the fans. He has been labelled as "the new Kev", in reference to the infamous Australian tough-man Kevin Muscat.

Ontong signed for the Newcastle Jets in April 2008, agreeing to a 2 year contract. [cite news |url=http://www.newcastlejets.com.au/default.aspx?s=njfc_news_item&id=22022 |title=Ontong Signs with Newcastle |publisher=Newcastle United Jets FC |date=2008-04-08 |accessdate=2008-05-19 ]

International career

Ontong has received 10 caps at international U20 level and captained the Young Socceroos through the AFC Youth Championship 2006 campaign. [citenews|title=Ontong to captain Young 'Roos|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,20664783-23215,00.html|author=Fox Sports News|date=October 29 2006]

A-League career statistics

("Correct as of 26 January 2008")

References

External links

* [http://www.newcastlejets.com.au/default.aspx?s=njfc_playerprofile_item&pid=1339 Newcastle Jets profile]