Harry Kane threw up in Seoul as Antonio Conte put his Tottenham players through a grueling two-hour training session in the sweltering summer heat of Korea.
6,000 local supporters were granted access to the World Cup Stadium in Seoul, where they witnessed Antonio Conte’s tough preseason regimen.
This was the second session of the day on Monday, and it began with the usual rondo ball-possession warm-ups, continued with a 10-on-10 game across two-thirds of the field, and closed with an unannounced brutal running workout.
Gian Piero Ventrone, a fitness coach with white hair, took over the running and pushed the players who had been back in training for almost a week through 42 laps of the field at a rapid pace, considerably faster than a jog.
Those players who reported at the end of last week after performing extensive international duty in June were granted 30 yards of pitch.
With temperatures reaching 30C, no breeze inside the 60,000-capacity bowl, and oppressive humidity, Kane collapsed on his knees and was forced to vomit at the conclusion of one run.
Local hero Son Heung-min began to display signs of anguish, hurled himself to the ground, and rolled over onto his back, eliciting gasps from the crowd. The level of concern increased as a result.
Son, who was quite fit, was on his second day of training. He greeted the Spurs players with a smile as they landed at Incheon Airport and joined them for training on Sunday, despite having been spotted over his summer break playing six-a-side games with his buddies.
Son and Kane hauled themselves back to their feet so that they could finish their journey.
Eric Dier inspired the fans to continue as they raced to the finish line.
Bryan Gil and Davinson Sanchez were among those striding out in front for the majority of the race, but youthful striker Troy Parrott had the energy to break away on the last stretch and win to well-deserved cheers.
When questioned if Conte’s training was as strenuous as it appeared, 20-year-old Parrott responded, “It depends who you ask.”
“I’m a decent runner by nature, but it’s been difficult. It has been arduous, but it has all been preparation.’
After their matches in South Korea, Spurs will return to the United Kingdom to face Europa League runners-up Rangers in Glasgow before traveling to Israel to face Jose Mourinho’s Roma a week before the Premier League season begins.