Brilliant Tel free-kick helps Tottenham open in first half in pre-season friendly against Sydney FC
Mathys Tel scored a stunning opener as Tottenham took the lead in the 29th minute against Sydney FC in their latest pre-season friendly.
The France Under-21 international scored a curling free-kick just after half an hour to give Spurs the lead at the Allianz Stadium.
Tel’s previous set-piece delivery fell short of the standard required in a game dominated by a Premier League side against A-League opposition.
The former Bayern Munich midfielder had a shot saved early by Sydney goalkeeper Gus Hoefsloot before Ben Davies saw claims for a penalty waved away four minutes later.
Hoefsloot did well again to push away Conor Gallagher’s effort but Spurs’ momentum was halted by two Tel free-kicks and a poor cross that eluded his teammates in the area.
Tottenham goalkeeper Martin Dubravka was a spectator for the first 24 minutes but was eventually called upon to clear Rhys Youlley’s long-range effort.
The breakthrough came when Takahiro Sekine, making his Sydney FC debut, made a mistake on the edge of the box and Tel fired a fine effort into the top right corner.
Gallagher twice came close to extending Spurs’ lead with his second effort off the post.
There were two moments of concern at the other end as half-time approached, however. Mathias Macalister saw a shot from the center of his own half drifted away by Dubravka in fury before Macallister beat the Slovakian to a loose ball, lifted it over the keeper and saw Spurs’ retreating defenders tie the ball clear.
SYDNEY FC NEWS
Sydney FC: Hoefsloot; Grant, A Popovic, Courtney-Perkins, Garuccio, Kamijo, Youlley, De Jesus, Quintal, Sekine, Macalister
Substitutes for Sydney FC: Zaverdinos, Gurd, G Popovic, Glasson, Alfaro, Dyer, Lacey, France, Williams, Toure, Miliner, Lancaster
TOTTENHAM GROUP NEWS
Djed Spence, Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero and Marcos Senesi have all been given a long break after the World Cup.
James Maddison and Destiny Udogie are recovering from problems, while long-term absentees Xavi Simons (knee), Wilson Odobert (knee) and Dejan Kulusevski (knee) are all unavailable.
Archie Gray is the captain of the junior team.
Tottenham: Dubravka; Gray, Hardy, Davies, Soloman; Gallagher, Tye Hall, Kyerematen, Bergvall, Tel; Richarlison
Tottenham substitutes: Kinsky, Robertson, Tonali, Takai, Donley, Scarlett, Tyrese Hall, Russell-Denny, Melia, Yang, Ajayi, Williams-Barnett, Byrne, Tingey
How to watch Tottenham v Sydney FC: TV and online streams
Tottenham v Sydney FC kicks off at 10:45am UK time on Wednesday.
Not available on UK TV but can be streamed on SPURSPLAY.
Tottenham v Sydney FC stats
- Tottenham have lost just one of their last six games under Roberto De Zerbi to secure safety.
- Spurs have played Sydney FC once before, winning 1-0 in May 2015.
- Tottenham have spent Β£237million on new players as they prepare for the new season.
