“It’s hard to process, you know, because it came out of nowhere. But the opportunity was given to me and I took it.”
After overcoming Newcastle’s Lambton Jaffas in the Australia Cup Round of 32, our boys in blue are now set to face NPL NSW side Spirit FC in the Round of 16.
It was a commanding 1-4 win with goals coming from Bruno Fornaoli and Nishan Velupillay. But it was 17-year-old Alex Lee who stole the show, scoring a superb goal on his debut for the Club.
It was a finish most players wouldn’t dare at his age, but Lee’s goal just highlights the young attacker’s capabilities.
“I saw Nish had time and space and there was a huge gap between the back line,” Lee explained when recounting the goal.
“So I made a run, and Nish played a great ball. It was an action-reaction. I saw the keeper coming out, so I chipped him and it went in.”
Having travelled with the team to Newcastle, Alex didn’t find out until the night before that he was not only going to be making his professional debut during the Australia Cup Round of 32, but that he was going to start.
“I didn’t know until the day before that I was in the squad,” he said.
“It’s hard to process, you know, because it came out of nowhere. But the opportunity was given to me and I took it.”
17-year-old Alex Lee pots @gomvfc's second, and what a way to earn it! 🍟
— Australia Cup (@AustraliaCup) August 6, 2024
🎥 @10FootballAU#LAMvMVC #AustraliaCup #MagicOfTheCup pic.twitter.com/bS9QVL20ku
Lee has spent most of the Academy season playing for the U23s and the U18s, having scored four goals and 15 goals in the respective competitions.
“The academy’s got a really good setup. They’ve done such an amazing job helping us young kids, as you can see, a lot of youth have gone up to the senior squad,” Lee added.
When describing his style of play, Alex said that while he prefers to play on the left, he’s had to adapt.
“I usually play on the left, but PK (Kisnorbo) likes me on the right, so I’ve had to adapt to that side,” he said.
“I’m more of a direct player so I make runs, I like getting balls in behind.
“Keeping the ball and not losing it as much is something that I’m really looking to improve on. Just keeping things simple.”
As a young attacker playing on the wing, there was only ever one player that Lee was going to emulate his game after, and that is Tottenham’s Son Heung-min.
“Well, there’s only one player. It’s Son. I’ve watched him my whole life and I try to play like him.” he said.
“I just love the way he plays. And he’s a good person off the pitch as well. He’s really nice and caring.”
The 17-year-old started training with the Senior Men’s squad at the start of pre-season and has fit right in.
“They’ve all had my back since day one and everyone has just been really, really friendly,” Alex explained.
“Everyone has made me feel so comfortable in the squad.”
Looking ahead to the future, there’s only one thing on Alex’s mind now, other than his Year 12 studies, and that’s making his Isuzu UTE A-League debut.
“Long-term goals, I would love to make my debut in the A-League.”
