Sonck - hot property after a hot season (Allsport)
CLUBS COULD GO FOR A SONCK
By Ian Parkes, PA Sport, Oita
The acrobatic Wesley Sonck is being backed to somersault his way to stardom -
providing he does not lose his head along the way.
Sonck, who has previously been linked with Aston Villa, produced a super-sub
performance against Russia to set up a mouthwatering World Cup
second-round showdown with Brazil.
With only 12 minutes remaining of their Group H clash at the Shizuoka
Stadium Ecopa, Belgium were on their way out of the tournament as Russia were
holding onto the point they needed to qualify.
But within eight minutes after coming as a sub, Sonck headed the Belgians back
in front for good - celebrating with his gymnastics - and skipper Marc Wilmots
curled home the insurance goal before 18-year-old Russian sensation Dmitri
Sychev set up a tense finish.
It was Sonck's third goal in 14 international appearances, in stark contrast
to his club form when he fired a Belgian League-leading 30 to help Racing Genk
to the title last season.
Experienced midfielder Yves Vanderhaeghe and Derby striker Branko Strupar both
believe Sonck has the world at his feet, and could become as big a name for
Belgium as the likes of Enzo Scifo and Nico Claesen.
Anderlecht star Vanderhaeghe and Wilmots have attempted to take Sonck under
their protective wing, and are hoping he listens to their experienced words of
advice.
"He scored 30 times in our league last season and was the best player, the
man of the season," said Vanderhaeghe.
"But he has been struggling to score the easy goals recently, even in
training - but then he came on yesterday and you could see he still has a nose
for goal.
"Obviously, he is young and I think he has a big future. If he stays right in
the head then you will see him become a big star, but he has to be focused.
"He has to stay calm, keep his feet on the ground and learn from the
experienced players, like myself and Marc.
"We try to talk with him, but he has become the king from virtually nothing.
It's not so easy if you are the focus of attention, and there is a lot of
pressure on his shoulders."
Strupar has now been relegated to coach Robert Waseige's fourth-choice striker
as Sonck has emerged as primary back up to Wilmots and Gert Verheyen.
But Strupar feels Sonck has what it takes to become a national hero as he
said: "He is already a good player, but he can be even better. I believe he
will be a star."
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