Valuable playmaker: Lee Tuck (right) has scored four goals and provided four assists for Kedah. — Bernama
PETALING JAYA: Playmaker Lee Tuck has been flying high with the Canaries, having scored four goals and provided four assists.
But the England-born naturalised midfielder’s impressive form with Kedah does not guarantee him a starting spot in Malaysia’s two friendlies against the Solomon Islands (Wednesday) and Papua New Guinea (June 20) at the Sultan Mizan Stadium in Gong Badak, Terengganu.
The 34-year-old Tuck needs no reminder he has contend with the likes of Mukhairi Ajmal Mahadi, Paulo Josue and Endrick Dos Santos to make Kim Pan-gon’s first XI.
He also has his work cut out as Tuck was not called up in March for the friendlies against Turkmenistan and Hong Kong.
Tuck, however, has no issue with that as he sees it as healthy competition that will only bring out the best in him and for the team.
“I’m just simply excited to be part of this squad again. Of course, when you’re not called up for the previous games, you’ve got something more to prove. So I know the score and I’m prepared to go the extra mile,’’ said Tuck.
‘’Whether I start or come on as a sub, I’ll be out to make the most of my chance.’’
The versatile Tuck is capable of standing in as a winger, second striker and deep-lying playmaker.
That quality will give Pan-gon the option of testing him in various positions to see if he can bring something extra to the games against the Oceania nations.
Tuck has so far won eight caps and scored two goals, and he’s hoping to add to those tallies.
He will be playing in familiar surroundings in the friendlies in Terengganu as he had two separate stints with the Turtles, the first from 2018-2020 and the second in 2022.
“I spent a long time here. I have a lot of good memories of the city, stadium and fans. So it’s going to feel like home for me.’’
