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.
James Maddison was not involved in the match. He tore his ACL on Tottenham’s pre-season tour last summer, and De Zerbi confirmed he was simply unwilling to risk the player as he builds back to full fitness: “He's not working the last five days, I think, like Udogie, but they have not a big problem, just to stay focused, don't take any risks and then for the next game, the next friendly game against Sydney.
De Zerbi continued, insisting the 20-year-old Gray was fully deserving of the captain’s armband: “Archie is young, but he's an old player, as a mentality, as a performance, as an experience, as a career.
“But the young players have to push, because with me as a coach, they have the chance to play. Logically, they have to show me they are ready, they have qualities, they have a mentality to play in this club.