JURGEN Klinsmann led Tottenham Hotspur to a 7-2 thrashing of the Eastern-Kitchee select side with two goals as the North Londoners began their Asian tour in rip-roaring fashion at Hong Kong Stadium last night. And his heir apparent, Nick Barmby, was also on target twice.
Mystifyingly, only 10,524 spectators were on hand to watch the spectacle but those who turned up were treated to an exceptional display as Spurs started their three-match Asian tour in style. The tour is also a farewell trip for Klinsmann who will play for Bayern Munich in his native Germany next season.
Playing three nights after picking up the English Football Writers' Player of the Year Award in London, the German striker made it a night to remember.
It has been a long time since a player of his calibre has visited the territory in his prime and the crowd were treated to the same dashing style which made him such a favourite in England this season. Almost every time the 30-year-old World Cup star touched the ball, there was a sequence of camera flashes in the crowd. Eastern-Kitchee select's Paul Foster had given his side a shock sixth-minute lead which was quickly cancelled out by Darren Anderton two minutes later - a goal in which Klinsmann was involved.
Klinsmann struck a half-volley from the left side of the box and, although not cleanly struck, it bounced through to Anderton who flung himself to flick a header past Eastern 'keeper Iain Hesford. Klinsmann then bagged his first goal in the 14th minute to put Spurs 2-1 up. Winger Darren Caskey broke clear down the right wing and found Klinsmann lurking on the left-hand side of the area and the German rose high to direct a powerful header, from a difficult angle, past Hesford.
The German notched his second in the 35th minute after some lovely work by strike partner Teddy Sheringham. The English international broke clear down the left flank and played a short pass for the overlapping Klinsmann, who had plenty of space, to plant a low shot into the net to make it 3-1. Three minutes after the break Nick Barmby showed that he was ready to inherit Klinsmann's vacant spot next season with the best goal of the night.
