Tottenham Hotspur Talking Points from 4-3 Pre-Season Victory Against Team K League
In Tottenham Hotspur’s 4-3 pre-season victory against Team K League in Seoul, the match was more than just a friendly—especially for manager Ange Postecoglou.
Despite the sweltering South Korean heat and humidity, Postecoglou demanded high standards from his players, even tearing into them during a drinks break midway through the first half.
Tottenham had shown flashes of attacking promise, but their defensive frailties allowed their opponents too much space to counter-attack. Postecoglou’s frustration was evident as he shouted instructions, urging his players to press man-to-man and not let up, despite their visible fatigue.
His fiery halftime talk seemed to work wonders. Spurs elevated their game immediately after, with Brennan Johnson playing a key role by setting up Pape Matar Sarr, who quickly found Son Heung-min.
Son’s shot was saved, but Dejan Kulusevski was on hand to pounce on the rebound, evading a defender before slotting home.
Kulusevski was in fine form, later setting up Lucas Bergvall, whose thunderous shot struck the underside of the crossbar. Son then provided a moment of magic for the home crowd, curling a trademark right-footed shot into the net after some dazzling footwork.
He doubled his tally after a slick one-two with Kulusevski, nutmegging a defender before finishing clinically.
Son and Kulusevski have emerged as standout performers in Tottenham’s pre-season, showcasing sharpness and determination. Son seems poised to lead Tottenham’s attack this season, while Kulusevski has been effective in various roles, including as a false nine.
When asked about his outburst during the drinks break, Postecoglou downplayed it, emphasizing the importance of maintaining intensity, especially under such challenging conditions. He explained that pushing through fatigue now would prepare the players for the demands of the Premier League, where they must be relentless for the entire match.
Tottenham’s pre-season has also been an opportunity to test young talents. The midfield trio of Sarr, Bergvall, and Archie Gray, although youthful, showed promise. Gray, in particular, stood out with his composure and football intelligence, even though the players visibly struggled with the intense heat.
Postecoglou acknowledged the physical demands on these young players but expressed confidence in their potential to develop into key contributors for Spurs.
He hinted that while Bergvall might start the season with limited minutes, Gray could be more immediately ready, although he too would need to adapt to the Premier League’s intensity.
The second half saw James Maddison and Yves Bissouma come on. Maddison, despite showing moments of sharpness, occasionally hesitated to trust the younger players, which led to turnovers that Team K League capitalized on.
This lack of connection resulted in goals for the opposition, as Tottenham’s defense struggled with the pace and energy of their fresh opponents.
However, Tottenham found a way back into the game, with Timo Werner setting up Will Lankshear for a well-taken goal. Lankshear’s impressive pre-season form continued, as he again showed why he’s been preferred over more senior options like Alejo Veliz and Dane Scarlett.
Another bright spot was 16-year-old Mikey Moore, who was chosen over Manor Solomon to come on. Moore has consistently looked lively, and his performances suggest he could see more first-team action this season.
In the first half, Spurs fans got a glimpse of the future in winger Yang Min-hyeok, who played for Team K League. Yang, who has agreed to join Tottenham in January, impressed with his pace and skill, even though Postecoglou stated that he wasn’t focusing on the opposition’s players during the match.
Despite a shaky defensive performance, Tottenham maintained their unbeaten pre-season record. It’s been a makeshift backline so far, with injuries and absences forcing Postecoglou to be creative with his selections.
Radu Dragusin made his debut late in the match, and Destiny Udogie is expected to feature against Bayern Munich in their next pre-season game.
Tottenham’s squad is still a work in progress, with key players like Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Giovani Lo Celso set to return. Postecoglou’s football philosophy is taking shape, but the team’s defensive stability and overall fitness will need to improve before the start of the Premier League season.
