Tottenham and Newcastle Set for Clash Down Under
Two of the Premier League’s biggest clubs are on Australian soil. Hear from Tottenham Head Coach Ange Postecoglou and his captain, Son Heung-min ahead of tonight’s clash with Newcastle.
“We’ve had two cracking games against Newcastle this year. We played really well at home and scored four against them, and then got a thumping when we got up there,” Postecoglou said.
In terms of what Postecoglou wanted to get out of tonight’s game, he said, “Same as I always do, mate. It’s a game, football, I’ll just try to fly the flag well and try to win. Hopefully we will entertain the crowd.
“Hopefully it’ll be goals tomorrow night and entertaining for the fans. We will try and win.”
On tonight’s game, Postecoglou pointed out the travel schedule;
“It’s not easy, we played Sheffield [United] Sunday afternoon [UK time] and got straight on a plane, we all lost Monday the 20th from our lives, the jetlag is as expected.
“We are here now, we’ll have a bit of run this afternoon and get ‘em [the players] lightened up a bit.
“When we walk out tomorrow night at the ‘G in front of 80 thousand people, all those things will be irrelevant”.
Son Heung-min was asked about the fans tomorrow night, particularly those from his home in Korea.
“It’s always great for football to have the fans in the stadium, especially Korean fans where I grew up. Home and away, everywhere [the fans] are really great.
“We’re determined to make it a good game for them.”
In terms of his place in Tottenham’s best 11, Son has been used on the right and through the centre. It opens an interesting debate about where the South Korean is best utilised.
“I don’t mind, it’s the gaffer’s decision,” Son replied when asked which position he preferred.
“It’s his decision, I’ll be ready any position, if he puts me keeper, I’ll be playing keeper.”
Tottenham’s squad was without two of its diamond aces, with 2022 World Cup Winner Cristian Romero and long time defensive midfielder Pierre-Emile Højbjerg not making the trip to Australia.
“[Romero’s] more personal reasons [for] heading back to Argentina, we knew that [going in],” Tottenham’s boss began.
“[Højbjerg] had an injury going into the last game. It was kind of touch and go and after the game pulled up sore, again because we were getting straight on the flight it didn’t make sense for him to travel that long way, but everyone else got through it unscathed.
“We’ve got some young players as well, and we are looking forward to giving them some game time,” Postecoglou stated on his squad for the game.
“My friend lives here,” Son said when asked on his off-field plans for Melbourne
“It will be good seeing my friend again, Tolgay Arslan, one of my best friends actually.”
This week saw FIFA push for more domestic games overseas meaning one day we may see Europe’s top league fighting for points down under. Postecoglou shared his views;
“I guess it’s a challenge for everyone, look at the calendar, I know it’s getting more congested, Sonny [Son Heung-min] had to go to the Asian Cup in January, look at post season, we’ve got guys in the Euros, Copa America.
“It’s becoming a challenge for football.
“It’s about getting a calendar that gets football exposed as much as possible, but then gets the players the rest that’s required. They’re the most important, that’s what they need to perform at the highest level.”
With two English teams playing on Wednesday, Ange was asked on the difference between fans passion in Australia versus elsewhere across the world.
“I think we’ve tried to copy everything we can [from the culture overseas]. I think we will come to realise that you’ve just gotta make the sport your own. Once you’ve been to Australia and you met the Australian people, the sport here, I think that’s what we got to try and embrace.
“I’ve been really fortunate the last 7-8 years, in Japan, up in Scotland or in the Premier League that I’ve been in places where people are really passionate about the sport and passionate about their football clubs. I’ve been passionate about the game for as long as I can remember and it’s just nice to be in places where people are just as passionate as I am.
“Will we get that here? I don’t know, but we don’t necessarily have to. We could always just try and make it our own and enjoy what we love about our sport and our people.
“A little bit [of a difference in the rivalries here and overseas]. I guess the passion, it’s a different kind of rivalry, people show their passions for their sporting clubs here.
“I think that they’re a little bit less territorial then they are in European Football, where you come from is important to them. You support your local club and you don’t like anyone outside that neighbourhood.“
In his new role as the Tottenham boss, Postecoglou has had to deal with plenty of media. He was asked about his dealings with the media';
“I wouldn’t say it’s challenging [media at the EPL level]. It’s part of the role, the English Premier League is one of the most high-profile leagues in the world. Everyone watches it, everyone listens to it,” Postecoglou said.
“I take that part of it fairly seriously, but at the same time I just try to be myself. I haven’t really changed, and the media is the media.”
The game begins at 7:45 at the MCG.