Tottenham Hotspur drew 1-1 before losing a penalty shoot-out to Newcastle United in a friendly match in Melbourne on Wednesday.
The friendly encounter brought to a close the debut campaign of Ange Postecoglou with the north London club and represented a homecoming for the Greek-born Australian, who grew up in the city. In front of around what was expected to be 80,000 fans inside the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground Postecoglou has named the team that will start the game but will likely change for the second half.
The Spurs boss named a starting XI that contained just two changes from the one that began the 3-0 win at Sheffield United before the squad flew to Australia, with goalkeeper Brandon Austin coming in for Guglielmo Vicario to start the game and Emerson Royal replacing Cristian Romero.
It was Tottenham who looked mostly likely to open the scoring and they did just that when James Maddison intercepted a pass from Nick Pope and then jinked past a couple of challenges before firing home.
Alexander Isak netted an equaliser late in the half, touching home a low Jacob Murphy cross after Austin had pushed it into his path.
Neither side could find another goal in the second half despite Tottenham’s youngsters having the better of the play and the match was decided by penalties, with Bryan Gil’s saved effort the only one that did not end up in the net.
Here are our Tottenham player ratings after the game:
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Brandon Austin
Made a good punch away from a corner on 18 minutes but could only push Murphy’s low cross into Isak’s path before the break. Had very little to do in the second half until he came off late in the game. 5
Pedro Porro
Active down the right flank and hit some good crossfield balls to Son before coming off at half-time. 6
Radu Dragusin
Made a good block 10 minutes in and looked very solid on the most part and played 70 minutes of the encounter. 8
Micky van de Ven
Like Dragusin, he has the Euros to look forward to but also put in a number of good interceptions with that trademark pace. Isak held his run though and got in behind the Dutchman to score late in the half. He was taken off at the interval. 6
Emerson Royal
Involved in plenty of Spurs’ attacks but he was beaten too easily by Murphy’s run down the right before the break. Stayed on until the final minutes and was better in the second half. 6
Pape Matar Sarr
Plenty of energy in the middle of the park as Spurs dominated much of the play. Had a trio of chances just before coming off on the hour mark. 6
Rodrigo Bentancur
Some good work in the number six role despite saving himself for the Copa America before coming off at half-time. 7
James Maddison
Fired a shot wide 22 minutes in from a square Emerson ball. He opened the scoring not too long after, having intercept a Pope pass, although it looked to bounce up and hit him on the end, before dancing past a few challenges and smashing the ball into the net. Came off at the break. 7
Brennan Johnson
Unable to convert a chance late in the half when Son hit a low cross into the six yard box but Johnson prodded it at Pope. One of those games where he looked threatening in moments but missed a big chance. 5
Dejan Kulusevski
Started through the centre again and was active throughout the game in getting the ball to his team-mates before coming off around the 65 minute mark. 6
Son Heung-min
With plenty of Korean fans in attendance, the Spurs captain was looking to put on a show and he created plenty of problems for Newcastle and old team-mate Trippier. Tottenham’s most dangerous player and should have had an assist for Johnson. Came off on the hour mark to boos for his withdrawal, followed by cheers for him. 8
Subs
Ashley Phillips
Made an important sliding block on 64 minutes from a low cross into the six yard area. A composed return to the pitch. 7
Alfie Devine
Busy in Maddison’s role and set up Scarlett for a chance later in the half after a little run. 6
Oliver Skipp
Managed to pick up a yellow card in a friendly match for holding, which was an impressive feat. Moved to centre-back after Dragusin came off. The elder statesman of the second half team with Emerson and he held it all together with a busy showing. 7
George Abbott
A tidy performance after securing his new deal with the club. 6
Jamie Donley
Some nice touches and drilled a shot across the face of goal with just under 10 minutes to go. curled home a lovely penalty in the shoot-out. 7
Bryan Gil
A busy cameo in what might be his last display in a Spurs shirt, he set up a couple of chances and drilled one shot wide. Saw his penalty saved in the shoot-out and it proved to be only one that didn’t end up in the net. 5
Yago Santiago
Brought his pace and trickery to the flank and put in a lovely cross that Scarlett headed wide. 7
Dane Scarlett
Had three chances after coming on but couldn’t force one home. Did net his penalty. 6
Tyrese Hall
A positive little cameo from the bench later in the game and rolled home a cool penalty. 7
Alfie Whiteman
Replaced Austin late in the game. N/A
Rio Kyerematen
A couple of minutes for the youngster in the final moments. N/A
Leo Black
Also came on in the latter stages. N/A
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