Son Heung-min (Tottenham) made an awkward "captain debut" by dedicating a penalty kick and being isolated from the side. Tottenham had a disappointing draw in the first game of "Post Kane" with a lack of determination.
Tottenham tied 2-2 after exchanging two goals in the first round of the English Premier League (EPL) against Brentford in the 2023-24 season at G-Tech Community Stadium in Brentford, England, on the 13th.
The match drew keen attention as it was Tottenham's first match since Harry Kane, the team's symbol and main gun, moved to Bayern Munich (Germany), and Son Heung-min's first match wearing the captain's armband. Son Heung-min is the second South Korean player to become a captain in the EPL after Park Ji-sung, who played for Queens Park Rangers (QPR) in the 2012-13 season.
With Hisharlisson at the forefront, Tottenham set up the second line with Son Heung-min, James Madison, and Dejan Kuluchepski. In addition to Madison, coach Enje Postecoglou, who played his first official game under the baton of Tottenham, made a big difference in the existing defense, starting Destiny Udoji, who returned from loan, as a left fullback and transfer student Mickey van der Pen as a centerback. Goalkeeper gloves were also worn by transfer student Guglielmo Vicario.
Coach Postecoglou raised the back line throughout the game and repeatedly played offensive football, but Son Heung-min, who played the familiar left side, was not sharp. He stayed near the touchline and was often isolated. He sprinted several times to the back space of the opponent, but the pass did not come. Usually, he had to make a normal pass that pulled the ball out to the side or back. His harmony with Hisharlisson, Madison, and Udoji was also disappointing.
Madison played a key role in Tottenham's attack development and was also in charge of corner kicks and free kicks, giving Son Heung-min a supporting feeling. In particular, it is regrettable that he donated a penalty kick and provided an excuse for an equalizer.
In the 34th minute of the first half, Emerson Royal, who received a heel pass from Hisharly Song, received a ball put into the gate and was weak, but it was the most organic scene in which Son Heung-min was involved. The other two shots came from an unintended opportunity. In the extra time of the first half, Madison's cross soared high against the opponent's defensive head and fell, and he connected it with a left-footed volley but missed behind the net. In the 14th minute of the second half, Kuluchepski's left-footed shot deflected off the opponent's defense and connected like a pass. Son Heung-min aimed for a narrow gap in the goalpost close to the inside of his left foot, but was blocked by the goalkeeper. Son Heung-min was replaced by Ivan Perisic in the 30th minute of the second half.
Tottenham scored the first goal in the 11th minute of the first half when center back Christian Romero connected Madison's free kick with a header. Video assistant referee (VAR) showed an on-side judgment due to a slight difference. However, coach Postecoglou brought Romero, who had been shocked by the head during the previous air competition, to the bench immediately after scoring and put Davinson Sanchez in.
In a somewhat chaotic situation, Son Heung-min joined the defense and gave up a penalty kick. In the 22nd minute of the first half, he blocked Matthias Jansen, who was breaking through the box, and tripped Jansen. The game proceeded as it was for now, but a penalty kick was decided after a VAR late. Kicker Brian Mbeumo tied the score in the 26th minute of the first half.
Tottenham allowed Brentford, who gained momentum, to come from behind 10 minutes later. RICO HENRY's cut-back, Joan Weissa's ground ball deflected slightly off van der Pen's foot and was sucked into the net.
Tottenham, which had consistently been on the offensive, scored an equalizer in four minutes of extra time in the first half when as many as 11 minutes were given. Emerson Royal finished the pass given by Madison, who was out of balance due to a physical fight near the penalty arc, with a non-stop shot and stabbed the bottom left of the net. Madison, who moved from Leicester City to Tottenham, made his perfect debut with multiple assists. Tottenham continued to attack in the second half, but they had to feel Kane's absence. 스포츠토토
