Day 1 – Feyenoord Jubileum Toernooi
Celtic 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Feyenoord 1-2 Borussia Dortmund
David Bentley took just 35 minutes to mark his Tottenham debut with a goal, as Spurs beat Celtic 2-0 in the opening match of the Feyenoord Jubilee Tournament.
Spurs were good value for their victory in Rotterdam on Friday, dominating an entertaining pre-season friendly. Croatian midfielder Luka Modric impressed with a controlled performance in central midfield, while Darren Bent further bolstered his claim for a first team spot next season with a confident showing.
It was Bent who gave Spurs the lead on 24 minutes, capitalising on a slack back-pass by Celtic’s Paul Hartley. The former Charlton man proceeded to round keeper Artur Boruc and comfortably slotted home from a tight angle, to register his ninth goal in four pre-season games.
Celtic struggled throughout to make any genuine impression on the game and much to the disappointment of their 3,000 travelling fans, rarely testied new Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes. To add to their woe, Stephen McManus left the pitch at half time with a thigh injury that could rule him out of the Hoops’ opening SPL match with St Mirren on August 10th.
Second half substitutes Gareth Bale and David Bentley combined to secure Tottenham victory on 80 minutes. Bale’s energetic left wing run and cross was too much for Artur Boruc and he spilt the ball into the path of a grateful Bentley who fired home from six yards. The former Arsenal trainee celebrated his first goal for Spurs, kissing the famous Lilywhite shirt in front of his new fans.
In match two, tournament hosts Feyenoord were beaten 2-1 by Borussia Dortmund. The Germans led after just five minutes, with Jakub Blaszczykowski firing in from outside the area. 17-year-old Georgino Wijnaldum equalised for Feyenoord on 41 minutes, with another long range effort but Sebastian Hille gave Dortmund the winner 11 minutes from time.
A draw is enough for Tottenham to win the Jubileum trophy on Sunday, when Juande Ramos’ men face Dortmund.
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