Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has defended his side’s upcoming international friendly in Melbourne following growing concerns over player welfare — with the match scheduled to take place just 72 hours after the English Premier League season concludes.
Tottenham will take on Newcastle United in a post/pre-season friendly at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Wednesday, in what will be a homecoming exhibition for Postecoglou.
Newcastle and Spurs stars jetted off for Australia just hours after completing their final games in the Premier League, with team lists for both games missing several key players.
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The exhibition clash is one of three games part of Global Football Week set to take place in Melbourne, with the Arsenal Women’s team heading Down Under to take on the A-League All Star Women on Friday night.
Former Newcastle United star Alan Shearer is the latest high-profile figure to hit out at the team’s decision to head to Australia, describing the post-season trip as “madness”.
“Can you imagine if you’re a player who is playing in either the Copa America or Euro 2024 having to do that? Madness. Crazy,” Shearer told BBC Match Of The Day.
“I wouldn’t be happy at all.
“It’s crazy for Newcastle to go and play Spurs there on Wednesday night and then another game.”
Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier, who is a leading contender to be named in the England Euros team later this month, also questioned the timing of the tournament, however, said he “understands why” the club has elected to do it.
“I understand why the club is doing it. I’ve done it at Tottenham and (Atletico) Madrid but from my own experience of it — in a tournament year — is not ideal,” Trippier said.
“But we’re players, we’ve got to do what’s right for the club to move forward. When we’re there it’ll be good, we’ll embrace it and experience it.
“Hopefully it goes smoothly. It’s not just England, you’ve got so many nations and clubs. Tottenham are doing it [too].
“But it’s one of those where you have just got to get on with it. But for me as a player, it’s not really ideal. It’s not like it’s Benidorm around the corner, [Australia] is 25 hours away. There’s no excuses or anything, I understand why the club is doing it and we’ve just got to get on with it.”
Postecoglou responded to Trippier’s comment during a press conference earlier this week, however seemed more relaxed about his return home with his team — seemingly due to his side having had a less demanding competition season.
“Our situation is a bit different from Newcastle’s. They’ve had a European season, Champions League — it’s been a big season. We haven’t,” Postecoglou said.
“I certainly wouldn’t have allowed it to happen if we were in Europe this year and had a bigger game schedule. I probably would have said no to it.
“And I don’t think the club would have expected us to go. If we’re in Europe next year, I don’t think you’ll be seeing this happen.
“I don’t think it’s ideal. But I think each situation is unique. For us, on the back of our season, to play one more game two days after the end of the season, there is substance to it for us.”
GLOBAL FOOTBALL WEEK SCHEDULE
Tottenham vs Newcastle: Wednesday May 22, 7:45pm
Newcastle vs A-League All Stars Men: Friday May 24, 5:15pm
Arsenal Women vs A-League All Stars Women: Friday May 24, 7:45pm
GLOBAL FOOTBALL WEEK TICKETS
Tickets for the games are on sale from $59 via Ticketek.
The Spurs and Arsenal Women will also both hold opening training sessions at AAMI Park with tickets available from $10 via Ticketek.
Tottenham Open training: Tuesday 21, May.
Arsenal Open training: Thursday 23, May.
HOW TO WATCH GLOBAL FOOTBALL WEEK
All Global Football Week matches will be televised and streamed on 10Bold and Paramount+.
GLOBAL FOOTBALL WEEK TEAMS
Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United FC full travelling squads:
Tottenham Hotspur: (GK) Guglielmo Vicario, (GK) Brandon Austin, (GK) Alfie Whiteman, Mickey Van de Ven, Pedro Porro, Emerson Royal, Radu Dragusin, Oliver Skipp, Leo Black, Ashley Phillips, James Maddison, Pape Matar Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur, George Abbott, Alfie Devine, Tyrese Hall, Rio Kyerematen, Heung-min Son, Dejan Kulusevski, Brennan Johnson, Jaime Donley, Bryan Gil, Yago Santiago, Dane Scarlett.
Coach: Ange Postecoglou
Newcastle United: (GK) Nick Pope, (GK) Mark Gillespie, (GK) Aidan Harris, Dan Burn, Emil Krafth, Kieran Trippier, Paul Dummett, Harrison Ashby, Lewis Hall, Dylan Charlton, Alex Murphy, Ciaran Thompson, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Matt Richie, Jacob Murphy, Elliot Anderson, Lucas De Bolle, Ellis Stanton, Jay Turner-Cooke, Travis Hernes, Joe White, Garang Kuol, MIguel Almiron, Harvey Barnes, Amadou Diallo, Alexander Isak, Ben Parkinson, Callum Wilson.
Coach: Eddie Howe
Newcastle United FC vs A-League All Stars Mens
Newcastle: Listed above.
A-League All Stars Mens: (GK) Lawrence Thomas, Kai Trewin, Marcelo, Ben Garuccio, Jay O’Shea, Jake Hollman, Tolgay Arslan, Angus Thurgate, Nestory Irankunda, Matthew Leckie, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, Adam Taggart, Nicolas MIlanovic
Coach: Patrick Kisnorbo
Arsenal Women vs A-League All Stars Women
Arsenal Women: (GK) Naomi Williams, (GK) Sarah Bouhaddi, Emily Fox, Steph Catley, Katie McCabe, Teyah Goldie, Katie Reid, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Victoria Pelova, Kathrine Kuhl, Kim Little, Frida Maanum, Maddy Earl, Freya Godfrey, Laila Harbert, Alessia Russo, Caitlin Foord, Cloe Lacasse, Vivienne Lia.
Coach: Jonas Eidevall
A-League All Stars Women: (GK) Lydia Williams, (GK) Jada Whyman, Alana Cerne, Michaela Foster, Grace Maher, Danika Matos, Kayla Morrison, Rebekah Stott, Alex Chidiac, Mackenzie Hawkesby, Elise Kellond-Knight, Rhianna Pollicina, Tameka Yallop, Sophie Harding, Michelle Heyman, Princess Ibini, Kyah Simon, Cortnee Vine, Hannah Wilkinson.
Coach: Joe Montemurro