Key Factors
- Alex Lee, 17, scored a objective in his senior debut for Melbourne Victory.
- Jeonbuk Hyundai defender Jeong Tae-wook has joined Western Sydney Wanderers on mortgage.
- The Korean neighborhood is worked up about extra illustration in top-level sport.
A shock inclusion to face Newcastle’s Lambton Jaffas, Lee capitalised on his alternative by confidently chipping the ball over opposition goalkeeper Ben Kennedy within the twenty seventh minute.
“I’ve completed it earlier than, so I knew. I noticed Nish (teammate Nishan Velupillay) and made that run. The move was good, and I chipped it over the goalkeeper.”
He had earlier made a reputation for himself within the membership’s youth academy, scoring 15 targets for the under-18 staff and 4 targets for the under-23 staff final season.
Regardless of the additional strain of enjoying with grownup gamers, Lee revealed {that a} month of coaching with the primary staff helped him construct confidence.
Untapped potential
“Usually, younger gamers are introduced on within the final 5 to 10 minutes to realize expertise, however Alex was given a uncommon alternative to start out, and he seized it with a powerful objective,” David Lee mentioned.
Alex Lee got here by means of Melbourne Victory’s youth academy. Supply: Equipped / Alex Lee
Melbourne Victory will put together for the quarterfinals towards Moreton Metropolis Excelsior this month following a 4-0 win within the Spherical of 16.
“Our objective is for Alex to turn out to be a constant skilled participant, and we all the time remind him to watch out of accidents,” Hoseong Lee mentioned.
Born in New Zealand, Alex Lee moved to Melbourne when he was six. Supply: Equipped / Alex Lee
Dreaming of turning into as well-known as his idol, Korean soccer star Son Heung-min, Alex Lee has set his sights on making a reputation for himself in Australia first.
“My objective proper now’s to debut within the A-League and turn out to be somebody younger youngsters can look as much as — a task mannequin, and a participant that everybody in Australia is aware of,” Lee shared.
‘Excessive hopes’
“We see Korean Australians excelling in varied sports activities, just like the golf siblings Minji Lee and Min Woo Lee, who’re well-known worldwide, however in Australian soccer, there hasn’t been a standout participant within the A-League but,” he mentioned.
David Lee, a former soccer referee and now a FIFA-certified participant agent, mentioned the Korean neighborhood has “excessive hopes” for Alex Lee. Supply: Equipped / David Lee
Though many Australian gamers have tasted success within the Korean top-flight, reminiscent of Seongnam’s Saša Ognenovski, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors’ Alex Wilkinson, Suwon Samsung Bluewings’ Matthew Jurman, Incheon United’s Harrison Delbridge and Pohang Steelers’ Alex Grant, it’s considerably uncommon for Korean gamers to play within the A-League.
“This marks a big second for the Korean-Australian neighborhood, as they anticipate seeing one in all their very own succeed on the skilled stage,” he mentioned.
Star import
Optimism for the upcoming A-League season has additionally been boosted by the mortgage signing of Jeong Tae-wook, one of many Ok-League’s high defenders, by Western Sydney Wanderers from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
The Wanderers, who welcomed Tae-wook with social movies that includes Korean phrases, mentioned the towering 27-year-old brings in depth expertise to the staff, with over 170 appearances within the Korean top-flight.
“It looks like the gamers are simply making an attempt to maneuver ahead. I even have that type of play as a bonus, and I like that type, so I don’t really feel any important burden or worry,” he mentioned.
Jeong Tae-wook hopes to excel throughout his mortgage stint in Australia. Supply: SBS / SBS Korean
Lately, Tae-wook confronted criticism after being noticed at a nightclub following a 1-5 defeat towards FC Seoul. Some followers felt it was irresponsible for him and fellow gamers Park Jae-yong and Jeong Min-Ki to go to a membership after such a end result.
“Since that is my first time enjoying within the A-League, I must carry out higher. As a participant for Jeonbuk Hyundai, I must dwell as much as the membership’s popularity. I additionally hope that the followers and the Korean neighborhood take pleasure in my video games, and I’ll do my greatest on the sector to make them proud,” he mentioned.