Walker-Peters and Foyth on FA Cup privilege, goalscorers react to Dons win

They’re young players from different parts of the world, yet Kyle Walker-Peters and Juan Foyth both felt privileged to turn out in the age-old FA Cup on Sunday.

Local lad and Spurs fan Kyle lined up at left-back while Juan, who joined us from Argentine club Estudiantes in the summer, partnered goalscorer Jan Vertonghen at centre-half as we saw off AFC Wimbledon 3-0 in our third round clash at Wembley.

It represented both youngsters’ first taste of action in the world’s favourite cup competition – and that wasn’t lost on them as they joined Jan and two-goal Harry Kane to reflect on the result in the tunnel afterwards. Here’s what they had to say…

Kyle Walker-Peters

Thoughts on FA Cup debut
“I’m delighted to play, especially in a big tournament like the FA Cup. I'm obviously extremely happy to get the win as well. It's an historic tournament so I feel privileged and honoured to play in it. Watching the FA Cup as a kid and coming to grounds to see Tottenham play in it a couple of times was very good and it's very nice now to be playing in it.”

On taking his opportunity
“These cup ties are an opportunity for us as young players to showcase our abilities and try to take our chances. Obviously it’s a big tournament but as well as that, I look at it as an opportunity to try to prove myself to the gaffer, my colleagues and to the fans.”

On Jan’s brilliant third goal
“It was a crazy strike! I don’t know if people have noticed but he’s been trying to score in every game! Towards the end of the matches he goes on these long sprints trying to get on the end of things and today it worked for him, so I’m buzzing for him. He was saying that he hasn’t scored for so long, so he’s very happy. I think I’d just become a scholar in the Under-18s when he last scored so he’s right – it was a long time ago! I was happy to be on the pitch at the same time as his goal.”

Juan Foyth

Feelings towards the FA Cup
“Everyone knows about the FA Cup in Argentina. Obviously Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa were successful in the competition many years ago but even with my generation – I knew about the FA Cup when I was in Argentina. It’s a good tournament. It’s really nice and it’s a big chance for Tottenham because we want to win every game and go to the next round.”

Thoughts on AFC Wimbledon outcome
“I think we played very well. In the first minutes of the first half we started fast but couldn’t score, but we stayed in control of the game very well. In the second half we played better and we scored the goals.”

On defending against a League One side
“I think all the teams in England have very good forwards and it’s always a challenge. I respect all the teams and all the players – they are very good and, for me, I love to play and learn and test myself against these players.”

Jan Vertonghen

Thoughts on the match
“Wimbledon did well, they had lots of energy and tried to come forward. We had the possession and created chances in the first half but didn't take them, but we were better in the second half. It's good to have someone like Harry around who can score at any moment of the game. He had a couple of shots off target in the first half but he's always there and always very hungry in the box.”

Harry Kane

On the outcome against the Dons
“It was one of those games where the first goal was so important. They defended well in the first half, we had a few chances where we might have done better but that’s the FA Cup and once we got the first and the second so quickly afterwards, that killed the game. Credit to AFC Wimbledon, they did well. It was important just to win and get into the next round.”