By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, Aug. 3 (Yonhap) -- Tottenham Hotspur played Newcastle United to a 1-1 draw in South Korean captain Son Heung-min's final appearance as a Spurs player on his home soil Sunday.
Son got the start and played 65 minutes before 64,773 fans at Seoul World Cup Stadium in what was likely his final match in a Spurs shirt and definitely his last game as a Tottenham player on his home soil. A day earlier, Son had announced he will leave Tottenham this summer, putting an end to weeks of speculation over whether he will stay put with the North London club or take his talent elsewhere.
Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur reacts to a missed scoring chance during a preseason match against Newcastle United at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul on Aug. 3, 2025. (Yonhap)
Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur reacts to a missed scoring chance during a preseason match against Newcastle United at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul on Aug. 3, 2025. (Yonhap)
Having played for Spurs since August 2015 and now in the final year of his contract with them, Son did not say Saturday where he will sign next because he wanted to focus on Sunday's match. The 33-year-old has been linked to Los Angeles FC of the U.S.-based Major League Soccer.
This was the matchup between the reigning champions of the English Football League Cup (Newcastle) and the UEFA Europa League (Tottenham), but their Premiership rivalry took a backseat to Son's emotional farewell to his South Korean fans.
Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur (R) is lifted by teammate Djed Spence before getting subbed out of a preseason match against Newcastle United at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul on Aug. 3, 2025. (Yonhap)
Son Heung-min of Tottenham Hotspur (R) is lifted by teammate Djed Spence before getting subbed out of a preseason match against Newcastle United at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul on Aug. 3, 2025. (Yonhap)
Tottenham scored the first goal just four minutes into the match, with Brennan Johnson taking a feed from Kevin Danso, who'd caused a Newcastle turnover in their half, and firing a right-footed shot past Nick Pope.
Johnson then mimicked Son's signature camera celebration, drawing a wide grin from his South Korean teammate.
After a quiet stretch, the clubs started trading some chances. Fabian Schar's long-distance shot sailed high and wide for Newcastle in the 15th minute, and his teammate Anthony Gordon hit the side of the goal two minutes later.
In the next minute, Mathys Tel walked in alone on Pope for a chance to extend Spurs' lead, but the Newcastle goalkeeper denied the French forward from close range.
In the 22nd minute, Joelinton's header, set up by Bruno Guimaraes, bounced just left of the goal for Newcastle.
Brennan Johnson of Tottenham Hotspur (L) celebrates after scoring against Newcastle United during the clubs' preseason match at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul on Aug. 3, 2025. (Yonhap)
Brennan Johnson of Tottenham Hotspur (L) celebrates after scoring against Newcastle United during the clubs' preseason match at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul on Aug. 3, 2025. (Yonhap)
Son was ruled offside twice in the early going as his teammates tried to create chances for him but was otherwise not a factor on Tottenham's attack.
Son won a free kick outside the box in the 31st minute, but Pedro Porro's ensuing kick went off a Newcastle player and flew inches over the bar..
Harvey Barnes pulled Newcastle even in the 38th minute, when he took the pass from Anthony Gordon on the left wing and then cut toward the middle before scoring in off the left post to beat Antonin Kinsky.
Gordon thought he had put Newcastle ahead 2-1 with a volley in the 54th minute, only to be ruled offside.
Son was subbed out in the 65th minute for Mohammed Kudus, and hugged his teammates and opponents alike before leaving the pitch and handing the armband to Ben Davies.
Two other South Korean players also saw action -- Park Seung-soo entering for Newcastle in the 77th minute and then Yang Min-hyeok taking the pitch in the 86th minute.
Harvey Barnes of Newcastle United (L) celebrates after scoring against Tottenham Hotspur during the clubs' preseason match at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul on Aug. 3, 2025. (Yonhap)
Harvey Barnes of Newcastle United (L) celebrates after scoring against Tottenham Hotspur during the clubs' preseason match at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul on Aug. 3, 2025. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
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