Víctor Merino

Víctor Merino
Personal information
Full name Víctor Hugo Merino Dubón
Date of birth (1979-08-18) August 18, 1979
Place of birth Apopa, El Salvador
Height 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in)
Playing position Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Chalatenango
Number 7
Youth career
1995–1997 Fundación De Fútbol La Chelona
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2001 FC Jazz 76 (5)
2001 Alianza
2001–2003 San Salvador
2003–2007 Firpo
2007–2008 FAS 2 (1)
2008–2009 Águila 20 (2)
2009–2011 Firpo 4 (0)
2012–2013 Atlético Marte 42 (4)
2013–2015 Isidro Metapán 46 (0)
2015–2016 Sonsonate 24[1] (2)
National team‡
2004–2007 El Salvador 20 (1)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 29 August 2016.

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 2016
This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Merino and the second or maternal family name is Dubón.

Víctor Hugo Merino Dubón (born August 18, 1979 in Apopa, El Salvador) is a Salvadoran footballer.

Club career

FC Jazz

Merino signed his first professional contract at the age of 17 with Finnish team FC Jazz Pori. In Finland he is known by his maternal family name Dubón. Initially the contract was for five years, but Merino struggled to accommodate himself with the change in climate and the Finnish language. As a result, he returned after four seasons.

Merino spent his first year in Finland with FC Jazz's junior team. The next season he debuted in the Finnish top level, Veikkausliiga. Merino played total of 76 games in Veikkausliiga, scoring five goals.[2] He also represented FC Jazz in 2001 UEFA Intertoto Cup as the club played against Gloria Bistriţa and Paris Saint-Germain.

Alianza and San Salvador

On his return to El Salvador Merino signed with one of the countries biggest clubs in Alianza. His dribbling skills quickly made him a fan favourite, but his lack of consistency saw him transfer to San Salvador for the 2001 Apertura season. Here Merino began to excel and mature as a player. He was arguably the team's driving force in attack and helped them win the 2003 Clausura title, scoring one of their goals in the final against Luis Ángel Firpo.[3]

Luis Ángel Firpo

His great form saw him not only be selected into the national team, but also saw him gain the attention of another one of El Salvador's larger clubs in Firpo whom he signed for the following season after his title win with San Salvador. Here Merino continued to impress and was seen as one of the countries best creative attacking midfielders. Unfortunately for Merino, he suffered an injury in the 2005 Clausura season and upon his return found it difficult to return to the high level of play that he had held for many years. Although he still produced moments of brilliance, he was not as consistent and he also failed to at times, play as part of a team.

FAS and Águila

His lack of form saw him once again transfer to another one of the Salvadoran giants of football in FAS.[4] Here he saw limited playing time and as a result was transfer after one year to Águila. This move not only meant a fresh start for Merino, but also saw him join the list of a select few players that have played for what are considered the "Big four" clubs in the country (that being Alianza, Firpo, FAS and Águila). Fortunately for Merino this move has seen to have suited him well as he has now become a regular starter and an important part of the team. Although his form is far from what it once was, he has lifted it to a level that many had not seen him play at for well over three years.

Back at Firpo

Merino rejoined Firpo in 2009.

International career

Dubón received his first called up to the El Salvador national football team in 2003. He made his debut for the Cuscatlecos in a July 2004 friendly match against Guatemala and has earned a total of 20 caps, scoring 1 goal. He has represented his country in 4 FIFA World Cup qualification matches[5] and played at the 2007 UNCAF Nations Cup[6] as well as at the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup.[7]

His final international match was a September 2007 friendly match against Ecuador.

International goals

Scores and results list El Salvador's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 22 August 2007 Estadio Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El Salvador  Honduras 2-0 2-0 Friendly match

Honours

2003 Clausura

References

  1. ↑ http://www.ceroacero.es/player.php?id=111117
  2. ↑ Finnish league statistics - Veikkausliiga
  3. ↑ El Salvador 2002/03 - RSSSF
  4. ↑ Profile - CD FAS
  5. ↑ Víctor Merino – FIFA competition record
  6. ↑ UNCAF (Qualifying Tournament for Gold Cup) 2007 - Details - RSSSF
  7. ↑ CONCACAF Championship, Gold Cup 2007 - Full Details - RSSSF
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