Berliner Tageszeitung - 'Tired' Son sparked Spurs says Postecoglou

NYSE - LSE

CMSC	0.29%	22.085	$
CMSD	0.31%	22.38	$
NGG	0.33%	82.59	$
RBGPF	0.52%	67.35	$
GSK	0.59%	52.78	$
AZN	-4.01%	171.61	$
RIO	1.16%	90.54	$
BP	1.66%	39.2	$
BCE	0.28%	21.38	$
BTI	-0.03%	60.02	$
JRI	-0.15%	13.01	$
RYCEF	1.95%	19.46	$
VOD	11.14%	14.72	$
RELX	1.14%	32.44	$
BCC	5.02%	76.06	$

'Tired' Son sparked Spurs says Postecoglou

SPORTS 30.03.2024

'Tired' Son sparked Spurs says Postecoglou / Photo: © AFP

Ange Postecoglou saluted "tired" Tottenham star Son Heung-min after the South Korean's late strike clinched a crucial 2-1 win against Luton on Saturday.

Text size:

Postecoglou's side were rocked by Tahith Chong's third-minute opener for struggling Luton in north London.

But Tottenham captain Son led by example as he ignored the fatigue from a draining return trip to Asia for South Korea's World Cup qualifiers against Thailand.

He hit both posts during the first half before Brennan Johnson created the leveller when his dangerous cross was booted into his own net by Luton defender Issa Kabore.

Johnson turned provider again in the 86th minute from Timo Werner's cross when he teed up Son, who slotted home via a deflection off Daiki Hashioka to earn the hosts a vital three points.

"I am sure he feels tired. Yeah, absolutely. It's tough. When I was national team coach of Australia, we had quite a few players playing this side of the world," Postecoglou said.

"They're long trips, there is time difference but like I said before he never looks for those clutches, Sonny.

"For him when he is available, he wants to play to the highest possible level and he keeps doing it."

Son's 15th goal this season moved him above 1961 double-winner Cliff Jones into fifth place in Tottenham's all-time scoring list on 160 goals.

But more significantly for Postecoglou, it kept Tottenham firmly in the hunt to qualify for next season's Champions League via a top-four finish.

Praising Son's dedication to club and country, the Tottenham boss said: "Playing for his national team is hugely important to him.

"Playing for this football club is hugely important to him and he wouldn't compromise either by letting his standards drop.

"Irrespective of opposition or whatever game it is, he has this really high level of expectation on himself to be the best he can be all the time. It's very hard to be like that.

"But he wants to maintain the highest possible standards whenever he plays and you see that with his football, his efforts, his leadership now so it's all encompassing.

"Look, he's been a brilliant footballer for this club for a long time and hopefully for many years to come."

D. Meier--BTZ

Featured

'Final before final': France face Spain in World Cup blockbuster

Spain will attempt to neutralise one of the most potent attacking arsenals in World Cup history on Tuesday when they take on France in a heavyweight semi-final showdown.

Zverev vows to chase down Wimbledon champion Sinner in trophy charge

Alexander Zverev insisted he can surpass Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz as the preeminent force in tennis despite his painful loss in Sunday's Wimbledon final.

England's Ecclestone glad to get 'one-up' on brother with five-wicket Lord's haul

Sophie Ecclestone said it felt good to have regained family bragging rights from her brother after a five-wicket haul in the inaugural women's Test at Lord's on Sunday gained the England left-arm spinner a prized place on the dressing room honours board.

Five classic France v Spain clashes before World Cup semi-final

France and Spain will meet in a heavyweight World Cup semi-final showdown on Tuesday, with Les Bleus bidding to reach a third straight final and La Roja still in contention to follow their triumph at Euro 2024 by claiming the biggest prize of all.