Rocco Vata was Watford’s hero against Portsmouth on St. Stephen’s Day, with the Ireland youngster scoring a dramatic injury-time winner on Thursday.
19-year-old Vata has enjoyed a productive campaign since arriving in North London last summer, but this was the undoubted peak of his time at Vicarage Road thus far.
Watford trailed early on, with the visitors taking the lead after just ten minutes through Zak Swanson’s opener. A contentious penalty allowed Watford a way back into the game just before the hour, with Edo Kayembe equalising from the spot despite the offending challenge seemingly occurring outside the box.
Rocco Vata was introduced at half-time and made an immediate impact on the game, and it was his 95th-minute goal that proved decisive.
Vata charged into the box and was quickest to react as the ball ricocheted in the box, claiming a memorable festive win for Watford and making himself a hero for the home fans.
It was the latest in an impressive run of form for the youngster which should see him earn a call-up for the Ireland senior team.
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Rocco Vata scores dramatic late winner for Watford
Rocco Vata’s dramatic late winner at Vicarage Road on Thursday was the biggest step yet in his senior career and should see him in the mix for a call-up to the Ireland senior team in March.
Vata arrived at Watford during the summer, having been at Celtic since the age of seven. It would take a month for him to make his first appearance for the club but he has steadily become a more regular feature in recent weeks.
He has made 12 appearances in the Championship, scoring twice and assisting twice as his influence slowly grows at his new club.
Glasgow-born Vata is eligible for the country of his birth, as well as Albania and Montenegro, and it is clear he is rated highly. Scotland’s Ryan Porteous recently said he was trying to convince his Watford teammate to switch international allegiances.
The pressure on Ireland to make sure Vata does not jump ship is another factor in why he should be given a first senior call-up for the senior international team. However, the fact that his form has been steadily improving in a highly-competitive league for months on end now should also be sufficient cause for Heimir Hallgrímsson to consider him for March’s playoff against Bulgaria.
Vata has been capped for Ireland at every level from U15 up to U21, scoring five goals in four appearances in the U21s’ heartbreaking Euro qualifying campaign.
He should now be rewarded with a senior call-up.
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