A first-half goal from Pape Sarr ensured the final pre-season game of our Asia Tour ended in defeat.
The only goal of this historic derby in Hong Kong came when the referee played on, even though Myles Lewis-Skelly appeared to be clipped from behind. Sarr took advantage to score from long-range.
Viktor Gyokeres came on to a rapturous reception late on as we looked for the equaliser, but despite our pressure, the goal wouldn’t come.
First half
Tickets for the first-ever north London derby played outside of the UK sold out within two hours of going on sale – and the overwhelming majority were snapped up by our supporters. It felt like a home game as The Angel was played before kick-off.
As the decibel levels ramped up after a stunning pre-game dragon ceremony and light show, we got into our opponents from the first whistle.
Martin Odegaard had a shot deflected just wide within the first minute before having another effort off target from a corner.
Tottenham’s first attempt came ten minutes in, when Pedro Porro’s corner evaded everyone and hit the far post. It fell to Richarlison, who headed straight at William Saliba.
The challenges began to fly in from both teams, and Rodrigo Bentancur was booked for a cynical foul on Bukayo Saka. We had started very strongly, but midway through the half Spurs had a great chance to take the lead.
Wilson Odobert’s low shot was deflected against the post and wide, and from the resulting corner, the ball fell to Richarlison under the bar, but he contrived to miss the open goal.
Just as the first half ticked into injury time, Tottenham took the lead in controversial fashion. Lewis-Skelly appeared to be tripped inside the centre circle by Richarlison, the ball fell to Pape Sarr, who fired over the stranded David Raya from long range.
Before the half-time whistle blew, we sent in three dangerous corners, two of which were scrambled away inside the six-yard box, but we failed to test Guglielmo Vicario in the opening 45 minutes.
Second half
Saka’s twisting run on the right resulted in our first corner of the half, when Odegaard’s shot was deflected over, and shortly afterwards, Gabriel Martinelli stabbed a shot over from Kai Havertz’s lay off following good work from Lewis-Skelly.
At the other end, Micky Van de Ven headed wide from close range, but still Tottenham’s first-half goal remained the only shot on target.
Martin Zubimendi was brought on for his first taste of the derby, and his first touch was a shot from the edge of the area that was deflected just over the bar. Havertz then had a low shot easily saved as we went searching for the leveller.
As the game entered the final 15 minutes, Mikel Arteta turned to his bench and brought on Cristhian Mosquera and Viktor Gyokeres for their non-competitive debuts.
But the Tottenham defence stood firm and despite setting a new attendance record of 49,975 inside the newly opened Kai Tak Sports Park, our first visit to Hong Kong since 2012 ended in defeat.
What’s next
This game completed our 14-day Asia Tour, and the team will be heading back to London on Friday before preparing to take on Villarreal on Wednesday at Emirates Stadium, and then Athletic Club in the Emirates Cup next Saturday. That’s the last of our pre-season matches – the following weekend sees the kick-off in the Premier League, away to Manchester United.