Tottenham Hotspur Stars Out Sunday in International Play
By Aaron Coe
Tottenham Hotspur again had some of their biggest names playing international football on Sunday, as Harry Kane, Gareth Bale, and Toby Alderweireld all played.
Tottenham Hotspur have been contributing their fair share to our entertainment with the international football that has been going on for several days. After having stars out on Saturday, more were out n Sunday, a couple of the most anticipated games of this particular break place, with some of Tottenham’s biggest names facing off with one another, as Kane and England took on Alderweireld and Belgium, while Bale and Wales faced Matt Doherty and Republic of Ireland.
Spur vs Spur
Between the two games today there were eight Spurs participating in the Nations League, but only were victorious and will be brining some bragging rights back to N17.
England v Belgium
Belgium came to England with an opportunity to eliminate the Three Lions from making it to the Finals, while trying to get closer to punching their own ticket to the final four. While there was some major buildup and the game was shown live on ESPN here in the states, ultimately, England was no match for the Red Devils.
Belgium scored right on 10 minutes at Youri Tielemans found himself wide open at the top of the box and managed to squeeze the ball through two defenders and just between the hand of Jordan Pickford. As England pressed to make something happen, they got caught off-balance and Kevin De Bruyne was fouled by Declan Rice.
On the ensuring free kick is was actually Dries Mertens, not De Bruyne who beat the wall and Pickford for the 0-2 Belgium lead. Kane, Eric Dier and the Three lions kept fighting. Harry Winks was brought on at half-time and England did manage to win the battle of possession and took twice as many shots, 16 to Belgium’s 8. However, with only three shots on target and with none beating Thibaut Courtois, England lost by the two first half goals.
Kane got some six shots off, but only one was not blocked it went wide at two minutes. Belgium was physical with England, committing 15 fouls to England’s 8, not allowing the Three Lions to get into any real rhythm and make meaning with their possession. Luckily for the lads, Toby is a humble guy and will only stick it to the English boys a little, as England is eliminated from the finals and Belgium is still alive.
Wales v Republic of Ireland
The Wales versus Republic of Ireland game would likewise have four total Spurs playing it, again with three on one side and one on the other. This time the trio – Gareth Bale, Ben Davies, and Joe Rodon – came out the victors, as Wales beat Republic of Ireland 1-0.
All three Welsh players and Matt Doherty who featured for Republic of Ireland started and played the full 90 minutes. The game was a very even affairs with possession split almost even, as Republic of Ireland held a slight edge 52 to 48. Ireland also had more shots, 11 to Wales’ 10; but it was Wales who managed to find the goal in a rough and tumble affair that saw 28 fouls and 8 cards.
Joe Rodon had a couple of moments in the match, one early on when he made a fantastic, goal saving tackle, just winning the ball and taking a cleat to boot. Then Rodon was involved in a big collision at the top of box and was on the pitch for a minute or two but ultimately was okay.
The big moment of the game involved two Spurs, as Gareth Bale was able to outduel Matt Doherty on the left post to head a cross back into the middle of the pitch for David Brooks to head home. The goal had the feel of something we have seen from Spurs of late. The goal took a player making the smart, unselfish play to create the goal. In this case Bale heading back to the mouth of the goal, rather than trying to score at a tight angle. It will be interesting at camp on Thursday given Doherty and Bale play together on the right side of the pitch for Tottenham.
U21 European Qualifiers
In Under-21 European Qualifier games, Tottenham had two players in action as Gedson Fernandes and Troy Parrott featured for Portugal and Republic of Ireland.
Gedson started on the left side of a midfield three and played all 90 minutes. More importantly Fernandes converted from the penalty spot in extra time of the first half to tie the match at 1-1 going into the break. The goal was part of an all-around game Gedson as he had four shots, a couple fouls, and a yellow card in what became a 2-1 Portugal victory over Cyprus.
Troy Parrott came on at half-time with Ireland down 0-1 to Iceland. Parrott managed to get off three shots including one on target, as the Republic of Ireland tied the game on an Iceland own goal. Unfortunately for Ireland, they went down to 10 men with a few minutes left and then gave up the game winner to Ingimundarson three minutes into extra time, as Iceland won 1-2. Parrott has yet to feature at Millwall on loan but seems to be getting healthy as he played for 45 minutes for Ireland and that is a good sign.
At this point, there are no games on Monday, then a handful on Tuesday and Wednesday as teams complete their break and players begin to return to London for Tottenham who play Manchester City this weekend.