Tottenham kicked off their tour of Japan and South Korea with a 3-2 victory over Vissel Kobe thanks to their next ‘one of our own’ starlet, Mikey Moore.
Spurs are now three from three in their pre-season campaign, with one of their young diamonds shining brightly amid reported interest from both Manchester United and Man City.
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Vissel took an early lead at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo thanks to a ninth minute striker from Yuya Osako, but Pedro Porro soon levelled before the Tokyo crowd erupted as they watched Heung-min Son put the Premier League visitors in front.
Brazilian ace Jean Patric then pulled Vissel back to 2-2, before Moore struck from close range in the late stages to claim victory.
It’s only the second senior Spurs goal for the 16-year-old, who made two late cameos in the Premier League last season to become the youngest player to feature for the north London club in the top flight.
Now training with the first-team, Moore scored his first Tottenham goal in the 5-1 pre-season win over Hearts and added his second strike on Saturday in Tokyo.
The Spurs ace has previously boasted a stunning record for the club’s youth teams, with 19 goals and 13 assists in 24 appearances at Under-18 level, having broken into that team at the age of 15.
He later became the youngest player to break into the Tottenham Under-21s side, and made his Premier League debut the following season.
His rise through the ranks at club and international level – 18 goals in 31 games for England at U15 to U17 level – has seen the young forward catch the eye of a number of rival clubs in England and Europe.
According to reports, Manchester United, Man City plus German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund have all cast glances at the Spurs teen.
However, it is widely expected he will pen professional terms with Tottenham when he turns 17 in August.
That will be welcome news for Spurs fans eager to get behind their next homegrown star following Harry Kane’s exit to Bayern last season.
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It appears this could be a breakout campaign for the teenage ace – particularly with the team back in the Europa League, where Kane earned his stripes during his early career.
That will be the hope after watching his impressive pre-season displays, and with games still to come against Team K League and then Bayern Munich – both in Seoul – there’s still plenty of time for Moore to impress before the new Premier League season begins.
This is Tottenham’s fourth pre-season trip to South Korea, but it will be the first time national icon Son will be representing Spurs as captain in his home country.
And he’ll surely get a rapturous welcome when Tottenham arrive ahead of the game against the K League All-Stars on July 31.
