Opinion: Five things we learned from Tottenham’s 4-3 win over Team K-League
Tottenham Hotspur recorded yet another win in pre-season this afternoon, playing out an exciting and end-to-end 4-3 match against Team K-League.
Let’s take a look at the five things we learned from the match:
Heung-min Son is looking sharp
Back in front of his home fans, Heung-min Son seemed determined to put on a show for the 63,000-plus K-League fans this afternoon. His first goal was an absolute Sonny trademark, cutting inside after some nice work from Jamie Donley before curling an effort right into the top corner.
His second goal saw him tip-toe his way infield off the left once more, this time playing a one-two with Dejan Kulusevski before nutmegging a defender and slotting the ball home. And he did all that without looking like he was out of third gear! It’s so nice to see Son back out on the left.
Jamie Donley is the surprise package
While Djed Spence has been turning heads on the right side of defence this pre-season, Jamie Donley is arguably an even more surprising package of the summer over on the left. The forward has been used as a makeshift left-back in Destiny Udogie’s absence, but the youngster is seeming less and less makeshift by the game.
If not for Son’s brace, Donley would have been the best player on the pitch for Spurs, with his inverted runs from left-back causing all kinds of problems for Team K-League. His natural creative talents in tight spaces make him perfect for that kind of role, and if he can improve his defending he could be a very real option for Postecoglou this season.
Yang Min-hyuk catches the eye
In a strange turn of events, Spurs fans were also keeping a close eye on one of the Team K-League players this afternoon – namely new signing Yang Min-hyuk. The 18-year-old started on the left side of a front three for the home team, much like his fellow countryman, Heung-min Son.
It would be fair to say that Yang was Team K-League’s best and most dangerous player in the first 45, going close to opening the scoring a couple of times. There was also a nice moment where some neat footwork and a nice turn bamboozled Emerson Royal. An exciting cameo for the teenager!
The battle for number nine
With Richarlison still out injured and Tottenham seemingly no closer to signing a new striker, it begs the question – who is going to start for Spurs in the first match of the season? Dejan Kulusevski has looked impressive in a false nine role this pre-season, adding yet another goal and assist to his tally this afternoon.
On the other hand, 19-year-old Will Lankshear is a more traditional number nine and also has a couple of goals to his name in pre-season. His performance today will surely at least give Postecoglou something to think about when it comes to choosing his Premier League squad for the first half of the season.
The return of Radu Dragusin
Radu Dragusin made his return to action this afternoon with a 20-minute cameo, following his standout European Championships run with Romania last month. Spurs are lacking centre-backs in pre-season at the moment with Cristian Romero and Micky Van de Ven still on holiday, so it will be a welcome return.
He looked very much off the pace and lacking in match sharpness though, even miskicking the ball in his own box to present a late chance to Team K-League. All to be expected for his first minutes of the summer.
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