Tottenham Hotspur took on Vissel Kobe in Japan on Saturday in a pre-season friendly and here are our second half player ratings from the 3-2 victory.
Spurs were in action at Tokyo’s National Stadium against a Vissel team that is 24 games into their J League season meaning they were match fit and sharp while the visitors had all played only 45 minutes each in every one of their friendlies so far. Ange Postecoglou named a strong team and made four changes at half-time with the score at 1-1.
He brought in Lucas Bergvall, Oliver Skipp, Jamie Donley and Brandon Austin for James Maddison, Yves Bissouma, Ben Davies and Guglielmo Vicario with Archie Gray switching from central defence into the number six role. Timo Werner was out through illness, with Richarlison, Destiny Udogie and Alfie Whiteman all also missing the game.
Vissel had opened the scoring early in the game when Pape Matar Sarr prevented a wayward cross from heading out and instead sent it across the six-yard box to Yuya Osako to smash home. Spurs were level though minutes later when Pedro Porro played a one-two with Dejan Kulusevski, who back-heeled the ball into his path and the Spaniard cut inside before rolling a left-footed shot home.
In the second half, Son netted soon after the restart, slotting home Brennan Johnson’s low ball across the six-yard box. However, Vissel found another goal to level the scores again through Jean Patric’s deflected effort. Sixteen-year-old Mikey Moore netted the winner with a close range finish from Jamie Donley’s low cross.
Here are our first half Spurs player ratings:
Brandon Austin
Dealt well with much of what came his way before being wrong-footed by Patric’s deflected effort. 6
Pedro Porro
A quieter half with a couple of tired mistakes before coming off after the hour mark. Don’t forget these are ratings for the second half, he got a nine for the first! 6
Emerson Royal
Playing in central defence, he didn’t do much wrong during the second half either before coming off. 7
READ MORE: What tickled Ange Postecoglou, Federico Chiesa truth and what Tottenham boss meant on transfers
READ MORE: Son given special job after Archie Gray joined as new Tottenham star admits key transfer chat
Oliver Skipp
He started the half at centre-back, making some strong challenges, and then moved into the midfield to similar effect. 8
Jamie Donley
Another impressive showing at left-back, despite having played on Thursday night in the heat in a behind-closed doors friendly. In this game he hit the left-hand post with a low shot and then forced the keeper into a flying save, while defending well on the whole. He then set up Moore’s goal with a perfect low ball. 9
Pape Matar Sarr
A better second half after a shaky first before departing the action after the hour mark. 6
Archie Gray
The new signing switched to the midfield for the second half and looked so comfortable on the ball. 7
Lucas Bergvall
A lively presence and always looking to make things happen. Another creative bright showing. 8
Dejan Kulusevski
Still playing as the centre forward he continued to work hard after his first half assist. 7
Son Heung-min
He started the second half with a fine finish into the far corner from Johnson’s pass to cap a busy display. 8
Brennan Johnson
Made up for a quiet first half with a good assist to start the second before coming off. 7
Subs
Ashley Phillips
A solid display at the back on the whole for the final half an hour. 6
Djed Spence
Looked to take the game to Vissel throughout his cameo, Another bright performance. 7
George Abbott
Slotted into the backline and worked hard alongside Phillips in the heat. 6
Alfie Devine
Another very promising display from the midfielder, showing all of his experience from those two loan moves. 8
Manor Solomon
Busy but without the threat as the young players took their chance to shine. 5
Will Lankshear
Was inches away from scoring again in a hard-working display with some great movement. 6
Mikey Moore
Another pre-season goal for the 16-year-old, knocking home Donley’s low cross after going close a couple of times beforehand, one effort hitting the hand of a defender behind the keeper. He was a constant menace to the opposition defence. 8
Listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham! Click here for in depth Spurs chat on your preferred podcast platform.
Want breaking and top Tottenham stories sent straight to you? Join our Spurs WhatsApp community by clicking this link . If you’re curious you can check out our privacy policy here.
