Tottenham Hotspur

The East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) Festival brought together around 60 players between the ages of 10-12 from Football Samurai Academy, Kingston Football Academy and the Frank Soo Foundation for a football tournament at the Club’s Training Centre. The Frank Soo Foundation is named after the first and, to date, only person of ESEA heritage to represent the England men’s national team.

ESEA players account for fewer than 0.5% of professional academy scholars in the UK. The festival was organised to strengthen engagement with ESEA communities, celebrate emerging talent and create opportunities for players to be identified for our Elite Development Centres and Academy pathway programmes. Three players were selected for invitation into the Club’s Elite Development Centres off the back of the event.

Jack Chapman, Head of Academy Recruitment for Tottenham Hotspur said: “We were proud to showcase the talent, passion and potential within London’s East and Southeast Asian communities through this festival. As a Club based in one of the most diverse areas of the capital, we are committed to ensuring talented young players from every background can see a clear pathway into the game and have access to opportunities that support their development and progression.”

It all starts with co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa at the famous Azteca (now known as the Estadio Banorte) in Mexico City. Co-hosted by USA and Canada, this will be the 23rd World Cup, the inaugural tournament back in 1930.

As we build up to the summer’s football fest, we take a look at the Spurs players to feature on the greatest stage of all...

Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Ledley King, Aaron Lennon

The 2010 World Cup in South Africa provided mixed emotions for our players - summed up perfectly by England, where Jermain Defoe celebrated his one and only World Cup finals goal but Ledley King was forced off at half-time in the opener against the USA, missed the rest of the tournament – and that was the last of his 21 caps.

Aaron Lennon also started the opener against the USA – a 1-1 draw – with Peter Crouch a second half substitute. That was Crouchy’s role again against Algeria, where ‘Azza’ started again in a goalless draw.

Jermain came off the bench for that one and was named in the starting XI by Fabio Capello as England needed to beat Slovenia to progress. They did just that thanks to JD’s strike, a typical Defoe goal, timing his run to perfection to get ahead of Marko Suler and convert James Milner’s cross on 23 minutes.

Defoe stayed in the starting XI for the Round of 16 tie against Germany at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, remembered for the infamous ‘ghost goal’ from Frank Lampard. Trailing 2-0, England pulled a goal back from Matthew Upson on 37 minutes and two minutes later, Lampard’s shot came off the underside of the crossbar and bounced clearly over the line. Nothing was awarded – no VAR in 2010 – and Germany went on to win 4-2.

Giovani dos Santos

It’s fair to say we didn’t see the best of Gio at Spurs – but he has legendary status with Mexico, earning 106 caps over 11 years, 2007-2018. He started all of Mexico’s matches with a 2-0 win over France the highlight in the group stages. Mexico drew against South Africa, beat France and that was enough to take them through, despite a 1-0 loss to Uruguay. They then faced Argentina, who ran out 3-1 winners in the Round of 16. Gio was voted runner-up for the FIFA Young Player of the Tournament award, which eventually went to Thomas Muller of Germany.

Wilson Palacios

A huge hit at Spurs when he joined us half-way through the 2008/09 season, powerhouse midfielder Wilson started all three of Honduras’ group fixtures in South Africa. Unfortunately, a 1-0 loss against Chile in the opener had them on the back foot – and they were then faced with eventual-winners Spain in the second match. David Villa struck both goals as Spain ran out 2-0 winners. Honduras couldn’t qualify but still had a big say – Switzerland beat Spain in the second group game, and both challenged to qualify for the knockout phase with Chile. In the end, Honduras’ 0-0 draw against the Swiss saw Spain through after they beat Chile 2-1.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Sebastien Bassong

Sebastien Bassong spoke later of the immense pride of representing an African nation in South Africa, but Cameroon were dealt a tough group alongside the Netherlands, Denmark and Japan. They needed a positive start against Japan and both Benoit and Seb started as Japan nicked it 1-0 in Bloemfontein. Both started again in a 2-1 loss against Denmark in the second game and that meant it was all over before they faced eventual finalists Holland. Benoit started this one, Seb missed out through injury and Rafa van der Vaart’s Holland ran out 2-1 winners.

Grafting for Glory: Andy Robertson's story  Tottenham Hotspur

Our skipper, who missed the final six matches of last term after picking up a knee injury against Sunderland on 12 April, entered the fray after 61 minutes at Kyle Field, Texas.

Goals from Lautaro Martinez and Giuliano Simeone saw Argentina home. They next play Iceland on Wednesday before kicking-off their World Cup against Algeria on Wednesday week, 17 June.

Elsewhere, Luka Vuskovic was an unused substitute as Croatia beat Slovenia 2-1 in Varazdin. They now travel to the USA and will open their World Cup programme against England in Dallas also on Wednesday week, 17 June.

Meanwhile, all our thoughts are with Christian Eriksen, his family and friends after the playmaker collapsed in Denmark's friendly against Ukraine. The match was abandoned shortly afterwards, but thankfully Christian was able to walk from the field after regaining consciousness.

Speaking this morning, as reported by the BBC, Denmark's national team doctor Morten Boesen gave this update: "I spoke with Christian this morning, and he is doing well. He is with his family and in good spirits. The expectation is that he will be discharged soon and can return home."

Monday's action

It all starts with co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa at the famous Azteca (now known as the Estadio Banorte) in Mexico City. Co-hosted by USA and Canada, this will be the 23rd World Cup, the inaugural tournament back in 1930.

As we build up to the summer’s football fest, we take a look at the Spurs players to feature on the greatest stage of all...

Michael Carrick, Aaron Lennon, Paul Robinson

Aaron Lennon burst onto the international stage after arriving at Spurs in the summer of 2005 – a year later, he was representing England at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Outstanding as we challenged for Champions League places in the Premier League under Martin Jol in 2005/06, the jet-heeled winger had just turned 19 when he earned his first senior cap in a World Cup warm up against Jamaica on 3 June.

His next cap was on the world stage as England took on Trinidad & Tobago in Nuremburg – England won 2-0 with late goals from future Spur Peter Crouch and Steven Gerrard.

England progressed after a 2-2 draw against Sweden and ‘Azza’ was a late substitute as England beat Ecuador in the Round of 16.

Next up, an infamous quarter-final against Portugal as Wayne Rooney was sent off and Aaron came on for David Beckham on 52 minutes. It stayed at 0-0 – Portugal went through on penalties with Cristiano Ronaldo slotting home the decisive penalty in the shoot-out.

The legendary wide man went on to feature at the 2010 World Cup and earned 21 caps over a seven-year spell. He made 367 appearances for us in a 10-year stint, 2005-2015.

Paul Robinson joined us from Leeds in the summer of 2004 and by October, had established himself as England’s number one – as the White Hart Lane faithful always sung to him!

He was up to 22 caps by the start of the tournament and played every game – Paraguay, Trinidad & Tobago, Sweden, Ecuador and Portugal, keeping four clean sheets out of five. The popular goalkeeper won 37 of his 41 caps during his time at Spurs, departing for Blackburn in 2008.

Michael Carrick impressed in our run to fifth place in the Premier League in 2005/06 and earned a place in Sven Goran Eriksson’s squad for Germany. He only featured against Ecuador, starting with Robbo in the 1-0 win in the Round of 16. Carrick moved to Manchester United later that year and went on to earn 34 caps.

Young-Pyo Lee

Young-Pyo Lee became the first South Korean player to ever pull on the Spurs shirt when he joined us from PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2005.

The full-back had been one of his country’s key players for a number of years, moving to Europe to further his career and he quickly established himself in the Netherlands. He won league titles and reached the Champions League semi-finals PSV and on the international scene, he’d been a major part of the South Korean side which enjoyed a fairytale journey at the 2002 World Cup, reaching the semi-final stage as they co-hosted the tournament with Japan before losing out Brazil.

Young-Pyo started all three group games against Togo, France and Switzerland. It started well for Dick Advocaat’s side as they came from behind to beat Togo 2-1 before holding France to a 1-1 draw. That meant they needed a draw from the final game against the Swiss to progress – but they fell to a 2-0 loss.

Young-Pyo earned 127 caps for South Korea and featured in his third World Cup in South Africa in 2010.

Robertson, our new recruit, started his 94th game for Scotland with a bang, overlapping Ryan Christie to the byline and putting in a dinked cut back for Lawrence Shankland to head home inside the first five minutes of their friendly against Bolivia at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey.

The Tartan Army went on to win 4-0 in their final game ahead of their opening World Cup game, their first since 1998, which is against Haiti in Group C on Sunday, 14 June. The full back, Scotland’s captain for the tournament and second all-time appearance maker, played the opening 45 minutes before being substituted for Kieran Tierney.

Spence also played 45 minutes on Saturday night as England beat New Zealand at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida. On his fifth cap for his country, the versatile 25-year-old, who started the game at left back, created the only goal of the game, moving the ball onto his right foot before whipping it into the penalty area for Spurs icon Harry Kane to flick into the net in stoppage time.

England manager Thomas Tuchel changed the entire starting 11 at the break, maintaining their one-goal lead throughout the second half of the first of their two pre-World Cup friendlies. Next up for the Three Lions is a clash with Costa Rica in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday, 10 June, before travelling west to Arlington, Texas, where they will play Croatia in the first game of Group L seven days later.

Elsewhere, Ben Davies’ Wales fell to defeat in their friendly against Romania in Bucharest, who were without Radu Dragusin, and Cuti Romero returned from the knee injury he sustained in April, coming on midway through the second half of Argentina’s 2-0 friendly win over Honduras.

Davies was an unused substitute for Wales on his return to a matchday squad for the first time since undergoing ankle surgery in January, while Romero played 27 minutes of Argentina’s first of two warm-up friendlies before they start their World Cup defence.

It all starts with co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa at the famous Azteca (now known as the Estadio Banorte) in Mexico City. Co-hosted by USA and Canada, this will be the 23rd World Cup, the inaugural tournament back in 1930.

As we build up to the summer’s football fest, we take a look at the Spurs players to feature on the greatest stage of all...

Christian Ziege

Christian Ziege became the first Spurs player to ever feature in a World Cup Final when Germany reached the showpiece match in 2002.

An established international who had made his debut for Germany in June, 1993, in a 3-3 draw with Brazil, Ziege was an integral part of their squad for the 2002 tournament, held for the first time in Asia in Korea and Japan that year.

And he wrote his name into our record books at the event, as he made his appearance as an 84th-minute substitute in the final that Germany lost 2-0 to a Ronaldo-inspired Brazil.

Ziege started all three of Germany’s group games as they successfully emerged from Group E, featuring in the 8-0 win over Saudi Arabia, the 1-1 draw with Republic of Ireland – in which a certain Robbie Keane snatched a 92nd-minute equaliser – and a 2-0 victory against Cameroon. But a yellow card picked up against the Africans, one of 12 awarded in the match, meant Ziege was suspended for the second round match against Paraguay

Germany progressed with a 1-0 win over Paraguay and Ziege was recalled for the quarter-final against the USA, in which Michael Ballack scored the only goal of the game. However, Germany coach Rudi Voller reshuffled his side for the semi-final against hosts South Korea in Seoul, with Christian among those missing out, where again Ballack was the match-winner.

Brazil, conquerors of England in the quarter-finals, stood between Germany and a fourth World Cup success, with Ziege was again only on the bench. By the time he emerged into the fray with six minutes left, Ronaldo had struck twice for the Brazilians and the trophy was heading to South America again.

Milenko Acimovic

Milenko Acimovic was a Spurs player by name, but had yet to pull on the famous Lilywhite shirt when he appeared at the 2002 World Cup with Slovenia.

He joined us from Red Star Belgrade in May that year, just a few weeks before the tournament and had to wait until the following season, 2002-03, before making his Spurs debut in our opening game against Everton, replacing Steffen Iversen as a substitute in our 2-2 draw at Goodison.

Slovenia headed to the Far East hoping to continue to surprise people and having been drawn in a group containing Spain, South Africa and Paraguay, a second round berth appeared within their grasp. But it wasn’t to be. They failed to reproduce their qualifying form in the finals and tumbled out, bottom of the group with three straight defeats.

Acimovic started on the bench in their opener against Spain, coming on in the 63rd minute but unable to prevent the Spanish winning 3-1, but he was in the starting line-up for the next two - a 1-0 defeat to South Africa ended Slovenia’s interest in the tournament, but Milenko’s personal highlight came in the final match against Paraguay, when he opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time. Slovenia were still leading 1-0 when he was substituted with 28 minutes remaining, only for the South Americans to score three times to steal the points.

Teddy Sheringham

Teddy Sheringham was enjoying his first spell at the Lane when he won his first England cap and was back here again when the curtain came down on his England career nine years later.

The striker made his international debut in Chorzow in May, 1993, as England drew 1-1 against Poland in a qualifying match for the 1994 World Cup, a campaign which was ultimately unsuccessful for the Three Lions as they failed to qualify under Graham Taylor.

Four years later at France, 1998, Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle had steered England to the final stages and had included Sheringham in his squad, but by this stage Teddy was wearing the colours of Manchester United. He did appear twice – against Tunisia and Romania - however it wasn’t until the 2002 tournament that he featured in a World Cup game as a Spur.

Having played in three qualifying games en route to Japan/South Korea – including scoring a crucial equaliser seconds after coming on as a substitute in England’s final qualifier against Greece at Old Trafford - Teddy became our oldest outfield player to ever feature in a World Cup at the age of 36.

He appeared in four of England’s five games – all as a substitute. Sven Goran Eriksson didn’t call on his services for their first group game, the 1-1 draw with Sweden, but Sheringham’s vast experience and know-how was certainly useful in the vital showdown with old foes Argentina in Sapporo.

After David Beckham’s 44th-minute penalty had given England the lead, Sheringham was introduced nine minutes into the second half and played a key role in keeping possession and frustrating the Argentines as the Three Lions held out for a 1-0 victory.

Sheringham then played the final 21 minutes of England’s next two matches, a goalless draw against Nigeria in Osaka to book their place in the second round, and the 3-0 defeat of Denmark to reach the quarter-finals.

Teddy’s international career was brought to an end by Brazil in Shizuoka in what was to be his 50th and final cap. He featured for the last 10 minutes, coming on for Ashley Cole as England – 2-1 down having gone ahead early on through Michael Owen – desperately searched for an equaliser. It wasn’t to be though as the Three Lions tumbled out.

When Maradona led Argentina victory at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, he seemed closer to winning that argument. Pele’s Brazil won three times, including the majesty of 1970. Then Messi took the crown in 2022.

It’s fair to say, however, that few players have inspired a team as much as Maradona in 1986 – including the infamous ‘Hand of God’ followed by the ‘Goal of the Century’ in the quarter-finals to knock out England.

Friends for life, legendary former Spurs midfielder Ossie Ardiles was there when Maradona broke through in the late 1970s – his first cap in 1977 (Ossie’s was in 1975) – there when he wasn’t selected for the 1978 World Cup, which Argentina won on home soil, and there again together when Maradona was kicked left, right and centre in Spain in 1982. Ossie had been out of the national team for four years by the time Maradona lifted the trophy as captain in 1986.

They were reunited again at Wembley in October, 2017, when Maradona spoke with Mauricio Pochettino and Harry Kane before our 4-1 win against Liverpool. Maradona passed away in 2020, aged 60.

So, back to our question for Ossie…

What’s it like to… play alongside Diego Maradona?

Ossie: “Coming into the World Cup in 1978, he had about five or six games. Every game, he was better and better and better. It was something that you cannot describe. You cannot describe how good he was. I mean, we were all national team players. We were pretty good, to be perfectly honest! But when he had the ball, he’s doing things and I said, ‘what is this? I mean, that's impossible’. He was improving in every game, but at the end of the day, Menotti said no. That was the worst day of his life. I mean, when it happened, he cried and cried and cried. So, all of us, we go to him, ‘well, Diego, you are going to have another opportunity, you are very young’ blah, blah, blah. I will say that was the worst day in his life, footballistically, or maybe in his life, full stop. That’s how much it meant to him.”

We then mentioned to Ossie Maradona’s treatment at the 1982 World Cup, where he was famously man-marked by Italy’s Claudio Gentile in the second round phase – he fouled Maradona a World Cup record 23 times, no player has been fouled by another more than seven times - the holders went out after losing to Italy and Brazil.

Ossie: “It was funny because somebody sent me a stat about the players who have most foul against then in the World Cup. Number one is Maradona in 1986 (53 fouls against). Number two is Maradona, 1990 (50). Number three is Maradona, 1982 (36). Then it’s Ariel Ortega (33 in France 1998) and number five is yours truly! Don’t forget in 1982, we only played five games – and Diego was the one who get sent off (against Brazil). Also, in 1978, for example, I was booked in the final! Some teams come to destroy you. It was so, so difficult to play. I'm just thinking about Diego. I can only imagine if he was playing right now… there are certain players that are kind of impossible to play. In my opinion, there are three players only - Pelé, Maradona and Messi. If they are okay, 100% okay, it's just, that's it, they will win the game. So, the only way to stop this player is like they did with Pelé and Maradona. Foul, foul, fouls and more fouls. With Messi, luckily now, in the way the football is played right now, they are much, much more protected.

“Maradona was simply, completely out of this world. I mean, you cannot start to describe it. Diego had so many problems outside football. I mean, taxes, women, cigarettes, whatever… you mention, Diego had it. But when he crossed the line, when he was inside the pitch, he was so, so happy. That was it. For 90 minutes, he was so, so happy. For example, when Argentina played England in 1986, went on to win the final, Diego, was the captain. Before the game he’s saying, ‘come on boys, we have to do this’, but for him, really, he doesn't need to do nothing. He was that good. That's it. He can go. He did it all for the other people - not for him. He doesn't need to at all. He knew that he was going to do.”

The midfielder entered the action on the hour and made her mark by threading through a fine pass for Lotta Lindström to complete the scoring. Eveliina Summanen remained an unused substitute.

That win gives Finland an outside chance of catching leaders Portugal in qualifying Group B3 as the pair meet in the final group game on Tuesday. Finland are three points adrift and need an eight-goal swing - although Portugal have won five out of five and have conceded just once!

Olivia Holdt impressed as she helped Denmark take a big step towards automatically qualifying for the 2027 finals with a 2-1 win against Sweden.

Holdt - up against team-mate Matilda Vinberg - had an early shot tipped over, began the move that led to Cecilie Floe's opener and went close on the hour before being substituted. Matilda followed her off after 69 minutes. Amanda Nilden was an unused substitute for Sweden.

That win takes Denmark top by three points with one game left - against Serbia, who are yet to win - and a draw will secure top spot. Sweden are heading for the play-offs.

Three of our players - Julie Blakstad, Signe Gaupset and Cathinka Tandberg - were in action for Norway in a huge clash against Germany in Group A4, with the winners guaranteed top spot and a place in the finals. Germany took a grip of it with two early goals. Signe had a goal disallowed just before half-time as Germany held on. Julie also started while Cathinka came off the bench on 83 minutes. Norway are also set for the play-offs.

Lize Kop started as Netherland suffered a late 3-2 loss at Republic of Ireland in Group A2. The group is wide open going into the final round of matches - France top with 10 points, ROI have nine, Netherlands eight. France host ROI next week, Netherlands take on Poland.

The 18-year-old, who was a regular in the Under-21s for his nation before joining us from St Patrick’s Athletic in January, was given his first call-up by international boss Heimir Hallgrimsson earlier this month and made his debut as a late substitute in their previous friendly, which was at home to Qatar.

Melia and co then travelled over to North America, where several friendlies are being played ahead of this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, to face Jesse Marsch’s Canada in their final warm-up game before hosting the tournament.

The hosts took the lead in Montreal after a tricky Stephen Eustaquio corner caught the Irish defence off guard after 23 minutes, with the ball bouncing off the chest of Everton defender Jake O’Brien and travelling into their own net.

Chiedozie Ogbene pulled the visitors back level on the hour mark, though, converting on the rebound after Maxime Crepeau dived the right way and denied former Spurs striker Troy Parrott from the penalty spot.

Melia was introduced ten minutes later, replacing Benfica’s Jaden Umeh and joining Parrott in attack for the final 20 minutes of the match. The forward had the chance to steal the victory late on, being found by Ogbene in the penalty area on the counterattack 83 minutes in, but saw his low effort saved by a charging Crepeau.