Meyong gives Braga something to brag about

Joint-top scorer in the UEFA Cup, Samuel Eto'o's sometime Cameroon strike partner Albert Meyong hopes to fire SC Braga into the Round of 32 with a win at SC Heerenveen on Thursday, saying: "I am a striker and I love to score."

Top scorers
Having hit a hat-trick against FC Artmedia Petržalka in the first round, the 28-year-old joined PFC CSKA Moskva's Vágner Love and VfB Stuttgart's Mario Gómez on five goals with a brace in last week's 3-2 home defeat by VfL Wolfsburg. That result has left Jorge Jesus's side in a precarious position ahead of their final Group E game at Heerenveen, but Meyong's presence is sure to be a comfort.

Turbulent season
Quick, agile and a natural predator, the forward has put a turbulent 2007/08 season behind him to show great form with the 'Arsenalistas' – who take their nickname from colours borrowed from Arsenal FC. "I am a striker and I love to score," explained the ten-times international. "So I want to score as many goals as possible." He has another five from ten Portuguese Liga appearances this term.

Setubal success
Discovered as a 17-year-old by Italian team Ravenna Calcio in 1998/99, Meyong was brought to Portugal by Vitória FC, where he established his reputation courtesy of 53 league goals in 150 games spanning five and a half seasons in Setubal. He then topped the Liga scoring charts with 17 strikes in 2005/06 to save CF Os Belenenses from relegation, earning a move to Spain and Levante UD.

Spanish low
However, the Spanish Liga seemed to suit him less than its Portuguese counterpart did. He netted just once in eleven outings in his first term, and in his second he found himself loaned first to Albacete Balompié and then back to Belenenses. It was there that he scored his only goal of the season in an ill-fated appearance for the Lisbon side.

Six-point deduction
Belenenses were docked three points for fielding an ineligible player, because Meyong had already played for two other clubs in the same campaign – Levante and Albacete. Whatever notoriety he may have gained for that oversight, Meyong is letting his football do the talking now, with his ten goals so far giving Braga plenty of edge. "Braga have a strong squad and great attacking options. We want to win every match," he said.