Tottenham boarded a plane to Australia for a post-season friendly just hours after their 3-0 victory over Sheffield United in their final match of the Premier League season on Sunday.
Ange Postecoglou's side have traveled to play Newcastle at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in the city the Spurs head coach calls home.
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The match has drawn criticism from climate change campaign groups and raised questions about the extra demands it places on players amid a congested fixture schedule.
Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier said on Thursday the friendly on the other side of the world was “not ideal”.
“It's not ideal because it's a tournament year. I understand why the club is doing it. I did it at Tottenham and [Atlético] Madrid, but from my own experience, in a tournament year it is not ideal.
When asked about Trippier's comments, Postecoglou said: “Our situation is a little different to Newcastle. They've had a European season, the Champions League, it's been a great season. We haven't. It's not a part secret of this.” [is] exposure but also income for us.
“I certainly wouldn't have allowed this to happen if we were in Europe this year and had a larger game schedule. I probably would have said no.”
“And I don't think the club would have expected us to go. If we are in Europe next year, I don't think this will happen.
“I don't think it's ideal. But I think every situation is unique. For us, at the end of our season, playing one more game two days after the end of the season, there is substance for us.”
Spurs confirmed their 24-man traveling squad on Sunday, with Cristian Romero and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg the only notable absentees.
Destiny Udogie, Timo Werner, Ben Davies, Richarlison, Yves Bissouma and Giovani Lo Celso, Fraser Forster, Ryan Sessegnon and Manor Solomon also missed the trip as they recover from their respective injuries.
Meanwhile, on Sunday Spurs confirmed they will travel to South Korea for a pre-season tour where they will face Bayern Munich, raising the possibility of a reunion with Harry Kane and Eric Dier.
Postecoglou's team will face the 32-time Bundesliga champions on August 3 at the Seoul World Cup Stadium as part of the Coupang Play Series 2024.
It is the fourth time Spurs have traveled to play matches in captain Son Heung-Min's homeland.
