PETALING JAYA, July 16 — Junior Eldstal left England for Sabah to gain some working experience but through a twist of fate, he has ended up with a national call-up.
Junior, whose real name is Putera Nadher Amarhan Maderner, had come to Sabah last year to work with his mother’s friend, Scott Ollerenshaw. The former Sabah striker runs a sports tourism business.
The Sabah-born Junior had left for England when he was four years old.
“His mother is a good friend of our family and when Junior wanted some job experience in Sabah, I welcomed him. I was having a golf tournament when he came and he helped out. At the end of his stint, I asked him if he played football and invited him to play futsal,” said Ollerenshaw, who is married to former national karate exponent Michelle Koh.
Junior had played in the Vauxhall Conference (Semi-Pro English league).
“Junior (picture) had talent but not good to qualify as a foreigner to play in the M-League. Since he was born in Sabah, I asked if he had a Malaysian passport and when he said he had, I thought he could find a team as a local.
“When I asked if he was interested to play in the M-League, he said he had to return to England to complete his studies.”
Ollerenshaw said Junior contacted him again in March this year and expressed his interest to play in Malaysia but wanted the Malaysia Cup experience too.
“It was then I decided that Sarawak, who were doing well, would be a good team for him and contacted Robert Alberts.
“I told him I have a player who is talented, but probably lacks experience and needs time to mature. Robert wanted to give him a trial and I asked Junior to fly in. The rest is history,” said Ollerenshaw, who recently acquired his FIFA player-agent certification.
However, Ollerenshaw said Junior should not be treated as a “superstar” as he is still young and needs experience.
“Junior has talent, but he needs to be exposed and has to mature,” said the Australian, who played for Sabah as their top striker from 1994 to 1999.
The 21-year-old Swedish-Malaysian Junior made his debut with Sarawak as a defensive midfielder in the FA Cup quarterfinal match against Kelantan in April. He came on as a last-minute substitute and has made eight appearances since for the Premier League champions.
Junior, born to Jan Eldstal of Sweden and Norliza Maswale from Sabah, is clearly excited over his call-up.
“I had never expected to play in Malaysia let alone earn a national call-up. It is happening so fast,” said the 1.87m-tall Junior.
Earlier this month, Junior was spotted and called up to join the Harimau Muda A squad for the World University Games in Kazan, but was not registered on a technicality.
However, Junior has more than made up for the disappointment with his latest call-up.
“I was with my mum in England when I received news on the call-up. My mum and me broke down in tears of joy as it was like a dream come true,” Junior told Mailsport.
“I’m proud and honoured to be called up for training with the national team.
“My dad, who is in Sweden, was also excited and told me he hoped to make a trip to Malaysia to watch me play,” he said.
National coach Datuk K. Rajagobal could use Junior in the two friendly matches against Thailand’s Chonburi FC today or against Chelsea FC on Saturday.
“I have watched him in training and he is talented. His height and physique is certainly an advantage to the team. But it is his first call-up and maybe needs more exposure. But I will definitely keep him in mind and might even consider him for the Asian Cup qualifying matches,” said Rajagobal.
Junior is taking it all in his stride.
“I am in no hurry. I want to take one step at a time and hopefully make the team,” said Junior.
“I’m willing to play in any position, even the goalkeeper position.
“I want prove to the coach that I’m here to be a regular national team player eventually.”
