Mikey Moore showed his maturity in his first Tottenham press conference after the 2-0 pre-season win against Auckland in New Zealand on Sunday. Scarlett, one of several Spurs academy players in action, opened the scoring in the 12th minute, pouncing after the Auckland goalkeeper Michael Woud parried Manor Solomon’s shot.
Dane Scarlett and Richarlison were on target as an under-strength Tottenham opened their pre-season tour with an entertaining 2-0 win over A-League champions Auckland FC on Sunday. The 40,112 who packed into New Zealand’s famed rugby ground was the biggest to watch a men’s football match in New Zealand.
De Zerbi named a youthful starting lineup featuring eight academy graduates and Archie Gray wearing the captain’s armband before adding more experience later in the match. The Italian had to factor in Tottenham's long-haul flight into his thinking as it took Spurs almost 30 hours to fly across to the other side of the world for their first tour to New Zealand in more than 50 years. "The most important thing is to play a serious game, for sure, and don't take risks for the injuries because it was a very long trip. We are at the beginning of the season. We have a lot of players who suffered too many injuries last season, and we have to be serious on the pitch," said the Italian.
It took just 12 minutes for Spurs to open the scoring as a creative Gray pass unlocked the Auckland defence, playing Manor Solomon in behind. His shot was saved but fell for Scarlett to fire home on the rebound, and Tottenham took that advantage into half-time. One Brandon Austin intervention was required to keep a clean sheet as he was quick off his line to deny Sam Cosgrove one-on-one. Fernandes came on with half an hour remaining and Spurs bagged their second goal shortly afterwards through the work of two other substitutes. Mathys Tel burst into the box and set up a tap-in for Richarlison.
The starlet was only introduced into the action by Roberto De Zerbi in the 62nd minute, but he quickly became a driving force for his team. One fan took to X to point out that the youngster is "going to change our lives," while another labelled him "everything" that the fanbase have "ever wanted." Another supporter branded Fernandes' passing as "gorgeous," while another called it "unbelievable."