Sydney: Tottenham Hotspur secure pre-season victory against Sydney FC on penalties
Tottenham secures pre-season win
Tottenham Hotspur defeated Sydney FC in a pre-season friendly, winning 4-2 on penalties after the match ended in a 1-1 draw. The game took place at Allianz Stadium, marking Tottenham’s third victory of the pre-season. The London club’s forward, Mathys Tel, opened the scoring with a free-kick, while Takahiro Sekine equalised for Sydney FC.
Tel’s goal came in the 29th minute from 25 yards out, finding the top-right corner. This performance followed his permanent signing with Tottenham this summer in a deal from Bayern Munich. Despite Tel’s early strike, Sydney FC managed to level the score after half-time. The match then proceeded to a penalty shootout, where Tottenham secured the win.
During the shootout, Sydney’s Joe Lacey hit a post, and Tottenham goalkeeper Martin Dubravka saved an effort from Alex Popovic. Tottenham’s penalties were converted by Sandro Tonali, debutant Andy Robertson, and Dane Scarlett, sealing the victory for the English side.
Squad rotation and player performances
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi opted to rest several key players for the match, including Mateus Fernandes. However, midfielder Lucas Bergvall started the game, playing his first pre-season minutes before being substituted at half-time for club-record signing Sandro Tonali. Bergvall, a 20-year-old Sweden international, has reportedly informed Tottenham of his desire to leave, despite De Zerbi expressing his wish for the player to stay.
De Zerbi acknowledged that he cannot guarantee a starting role for any player, including Bergvall, who reportedly seeks to play in a deeper midfield position. The arrivals of Matheus Fernandes for £85m from West Ham and Sandro Tonali for £100m from Newcastle have intensified competition in midfield. De Zerbi stated that he wants to be “honest with the players” regarding playing time, emphasizing the need for a strong squad of 21 or 22 high-level players to compete for top places in the league.
Andy Robertson made his first appearance for Tottenham as a second-half substitute. He was handed the captain’s armband and contributed significantly in his 25-minute cameo, creating two chances and having a shot saved before successfully converting his penalty in the shootout. Archie Gray also featured, captaining the team for the second consecutive pre-season game, a decision that suggests De Zerbi’s confidence in the young midfielder.
The match also saw the involvement of 10 academy players, highlighting De Zerbi’s approach to squad development. Notable players not involved in the match included James Maddison, Destiny Udogie, Kevin Danso, Dominic Solanke, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Micky van de Ven. De Zerbi explained that not all players are in the same physical condition, with some, like Archie Gray, Ben Davies, Tonali, and Mateus Fernandes, being ready for longer playing times, while others, such as Conor Gallagher, Mathys Tel, Manor Solomon, and Richarlison, are working to improve their condition.
Upcoming fixtures
Following their victory against Sydney FC, Tottenham is scheduled to face Chelsea on Saturday in Sydney. This match is part of their pre-season schedule, which also includes a fixture against Getafe on August 8 at the Spurs training ground and two matches against Hoffenheim on August 15 and 16.
The team’s pre-season preparations have included a 1-0 win against MK Dons on July 22 and a 2-0 victory over Auckland FC on July 26. The upcoming match against Chelsea will be another test for De Zerbi’s squad as they continue to build towards the new season.
Source: bbc.com
As NewsUK's Senior Football Correspondent, Thomas Beckwith reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He reported on three World Cups for a national news agency. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Sheffield Hallam University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Thomas lives in Sheffield, where he watches lower-league football most weekends. “Football writing is about the decisions, not just the result.”
