Mathys Tel scored a spectacular opener as Tottenham took a 29th-minute lead against Sydney FC in their latest pre-season friendly.
The France Under-21 international lashed home a curling free-kick just short of the half-hour mark to give a young Spurs side the advantage at the Allianz Stadium.
Tel’s previous set-piece deliveries had fallen short of the quality required in a game dominated by the Premier League side against A-League opposition.
The former Bayern Munich winger had seen an early shot saved by Sydney goalkeeper Gus Hoefsloot before Ben Davies saw claims for a penalty waved away four minutes later.
Hoefsloot did well again to repel a Conor Gallagher effort but Spurs’ momentum was stalled by two poor Tel free-kicks and a wayward cross that evaded his team-mates in the area.
Tottenham goalkeeper Martin Dubravka had been a relative bystander for the opening 24 minutes but he was finally called into action to parry clear a long-range effort from Rhys Youlley.
The breakthrough came when Takahiro Sekine, making his first start for Sydney FC, committed a foul on the edge of the box and Tel whipped a brilliant effort into the top right-hand corner.
Gallagher twice came close to adding to Spurs’ lead with his second effort clipping the post.
There were two moments of concern at the other end approaching half-time, though. Mathias Macallister saw a shot from inside his own half just drift wide with Dubravka backpedalling furiously before Macallister beat the Slovakian to a loose ball, lifting it over the goalkeeper only to see retreating Spurs defenders bundle the ball clear.
SYDNEY FC TEAM NEWS
Sydney FC: Hoefsloot; Grant, A Popovic, Courtney-Perkins, Garuccio, Kamijo, Youlley, De Jesus, Quintal, Sekine, Macallister
Sydney FC Substitutes: Zaverdinos, Gurd, G Popovic, Glasson, Alfaro, Dyer, Lacey, France,Williams, Toure, Milliner, Lancaster
TOTTENHAM TEAM NEWS
Djed Spence, Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero and Marcos Senesi were all given longer breaks following the World Cup.
James Maddison and Destiny Udogie are recovering from setbacks, while long-term absentees Xavi Simons (knee), Wilson Odobert (knee) and Dejan Kulusevski (knee) are all unavailable.
Archie Gray captained a young side.
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 kicked off at 10:45am UK time on Wednesday.
It is not available on UK TV but can be streamed via SPURSPLAY.
Stats for Tottenham v Sydney FC
- Tottenham lost just one of their last six games under Roberto De Zerbi to secure survival.
- Spurs have played Sydney FC once before, winning 1-0 in May 2015.
- Tottenham have spent £237million on new players as they prepare for the new season.
