TO-DAY'S FOOTBALL

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 188, 9 August 1924, Page 2 (Supplement)

TO-DAY'S FOOTBALL

CHINESE VARSITIES V. AUCKLAND

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION GAME.

AUCKLAND WIN BY FIVE GOALS TO ONE.

VISITORS' SPORTING GAME SHOWS GREAT PROMISE.

A record attendance, probably for the Dominion, watched the international exhibition of Association on the Auckland Domain this afternoon, when the Chinese University touring team met the local representatives. Though beaten by five goals to one, four of which were scored in the second half, the visitors showed a keen appreciation of a purely English game, and they enhanced their reputation as splendid sportsmen.

BROTHERHOOD OF SPORT. . It was mentioned by the Mayor, in' •Welcoming the All Blacks recently, that their visit to England would do more in furthering an international spirit than the political visits of Dominion Premiers, and this opinion can be applied even more appropriately to the visit to New Zealand shores of our Chinese visitors. About 20,000 people, the majority of whom, perhape, had never seen an exhibition of the Soccer code before, assembled at the Auckland Domain this . afternoon, many curious to witness the actual game, but all pleased to see the Eastern visitors participating in a specie of our national recreation—footbalL : This clash between East and West was I

i THE PLAY. I When the teams turned out it was estimated there was a crowd of 20,000 present. The ground was in tip top condition, - and it was evident a lot of care had been displayed on the pitch to get it in good order. A curtain raiserf from the sixth grade was played, the contesting teams being Bclmont and St. Helier's, and after a fast and strenuous game the result was a draw of one goal each. The teams in the big match were as follows:— I Chinese.—C. T. Pao, H. C. Hung, M. L. Loh, H. K. Liang, L. N. Lok, E. Chen, P. S. j Wang, Alex. Ting, H. E. Chang, Y. C. I , Wu, B. K. Jap. I j Auckland—Batty, Braithwaite, Fer- '

enveloped in the atmosphere which was calculated to bring out a true sporting spirit, the ideal of ail Britishers. In this respect, the visitors came with an enviable reputation. They were reported to disdain certain aspects of the game, probably attributable to their idealistic views, but which have become recognised as an inevitable part of a good contest. The public were keen to ccc the attitude of the visitors to some perfectly legitimate features of the game which they were said not to recognise, and there were naturally thousands speculative as to how their evasive tactics would result in competition with the tactics which had resulted in the natural evolution of tKe game. The visitors gave the best English interpretation of the "Hip, hip, hurrah!" as they greeted their opponents on the field, and then gave a war cry which also appeared to have S, very European touch. It may be mentioned that the Chinese Universities team come with a reputation as a dry-ball team, and in thi3 respect the conditions were ideal. The ground was in splendid condition, and an inviting sun shone overhead. Physically the Chinese compared extremely favourably with the Auckland team as each side lined out, and they soon showed that they were no mere "tyros" at the game, for Pao, in goal, saved a hard ground shot, a minute after resuming quite brilliantly. Auckland had the better of the opening play, but the visitors showed a thorough knowledge of the game, their quick trapping or heading of the ball winning applause. Gaining confidence, they combined nicely, and thrice tested Batty, in the Auckland goal. Goalie Pao saved a couple of shots, and the visitors came away in pretty heading, and then deceived the critics by fending off their opponents and robbing them of the ball, the attack narrowly missing the goal twice. Auckland had a turn on the attack, but brilliant defence in the goal mouth beat them back. Flying shots skimmed the University goal, and then the Chinese forward surprised the onlookers and his opponents with a tricky buck kick. Though beaten back, they came to the attack again with a long passing movement, which terminated in the great thrill as the ball was shot, just wide of Auckland's goal. Again the local team shot too high, and their opponents made the same misjudgment, but the crowd at least got a thrill from these attempts, breaking a quietude enforced by their rapt attention to the game. There was none of the raucous shouts and din which are associated with the frenzy of Rugby or League, but spontaneous acclamation greeted any particularly bright play. Honour 3 had been particularly even until Williams ■ placed a splendid corner, which Pao could not reach in a desperate jump. Just as this first blood was drawn, half- j time sounded.

Not Chinaman's tuck. Chang again delighted the crowd with a tricky reverse kick, and then the Chinaman's proverbial luck belied them. A high centre from the left wing bounced over Batty'a head as he went to meet it, but the bounce also went over the bar, evading an open goal. The crowd roared disapproval when Auckland were conceded a corner by the linesman, but their judgment was evidently correct, for the referee overruled, and thousands of voices expressed appreciation. Hatty's most serious test came when Wang received a long kick, and shot into the goaler's chest, a splendid save being made. Auckland got a similar opportunity, and Humphries gave Pao no chance with a hot shot from a few yards out. The visitors several times got into position to wipe off the lead, but their shooting was too high, and twice the oval soared over the goal. When Auckland got in position again, their extra hit of finish gave them another goal, Woolley scoring. The Universities' turn came at last, for, from a nice centre, Chang kept a high bouncing ball down, and shot it into the net—a well-deserved goal Turn-and-turn-about chances were won and lost, and though Pao made an excellent save, he did not recover in time to stem a shot which gave Auckland another goaL Just on times Tnne 3 notched another goal, giving Auckland a five to one victory. It was an admirable exposition of the game, in which the 'Varsities impressed with, their tnctoness and commendable sporting te If th 7, lacked tha necessary] SSi&Q wnen at close quarters. I

Marshall, Humphries, Woolley, Williams. Referee, Mr. A. Newbold. Auckland were the first to turn out, i followed a few minutes later by the ' visitors. The Chinese obliged with their welcome yell, and, after the formalities iof photographing had been dispensed I with, the team captains got to work with the coin, the luck of the spin going to Auckland. It was helpful to find the visitors appearing with numbers on, and it would have been helpful, considering the visitors present, for the Auckland team to have adopted the same distinguishing numbers. Punctually to j time Chang eet the ball rolling, and Wu I got away, only to be held up by Jones. i Innes secured and a nice centre was met by Humphries, who sent in a stinging shot, which Pao successfully dealt with. There was not a great deal of play in ! the opening exchanges, Auckland having the advantage. Continuing to press, Neesham passed to Woolly, but the inside left's effort just went over. From the kick off play centred around China's goal, when Neesham had a shot, but his effort was altogether too hard and went sailing over the top. China got away and Wang ran down the line, but his centre was weak, enabling Ferguson to clear. Midfield play followed, where Auckland's heavier forwards were seen .to advantage, but the Chinese were persistent tacklers and kept the ball constantly on the move. A free kick to the Chinese was nicely placed, and after play in the goalmouth, they succeeded in forcing a corner, which was nicely placed, but just went behind. The visitors made a combined movement and displayed pretty combination, Wu giving Batty a high shot, to deal with which i the custodian safely got away. Keeping up pressure China forced another corner, I but this was abortive. Play quickly travelled to the other end where Auckland got a corner, but Williams placed badly behind. China's left wing was in the picture with a determined effort, but Batty saved a close-in shot from Chang. At the other end Humphries was almost through, but Pao kicked to , safety. The Chinese forwards, although very light, were putting plenty of dash into their play, and their dribbling delighted the crowd. Clever play by Jap and Wu resulted in Chang receiving a pass in the goal mouth, but lost the opportunity I through over-eagerness, and a tame shot went past the upright. The play at ' this period had been very even, both goals visited in turn, but the visitors did not seem to put sufficient weight into their shots to secure goals. Chang, Jat centre-forward was very clever. I Besides feeding the wings, he I indulged in pretty individual ; play. Marshall gave Auckland's left- ] wing a fine opportunity to open the ■core, his centre being missed right in front of goal. Innis was responsible for clever play on the right wing, and successfully got the ball past the visitors' defence, but offside against Williams relieved the pressure. Chang, Wu. and Jap moving on the left wing, but Jones eventually broke up a promising movement. At the other end Williams sent in a perfect centre, but Pao booted to safety. A corner to iuckland soon followed, but this was placed too far back, and Lok cleared iis lines. Auckland .returned to the ittack, and Humphries tested Pao with i ground shot, which the goalie saved, ;he ball coming back to Innis, who sent n a stinging shot which just went outside the uprights. The visitors' inside ;rio introduced a sparkling run, and ;ook the ball the whole length of the ield, when Wu's shot just went outside. It almost seemed as though a 'oal had been secured, and the margin ; or safety must have been a very narrow >ne. The play in the first spell had jeen very even, neither side showing to idvantage, on the whole. Although not ilayed at a fast rate, the game was very rretty, and at times there were touches )f brilliant play. Neither front ranks ,vere taking necessary time with their shooting, and both could have put their shots more on the target. Auckland rot away nicely and forced a corner, Pao conceding from a hot shot from Suinphries. The resulting kick was licely placed by Williams, the ball travelling just along in front of goal. Pao made an attempt to save, and must have touched the ball, as the leather hit the upright and entered the net, thus opening Auckland's score. A couple of minutes of midfield play followed, when half-time was called with the score:— Auckland i Chinese o

Humphries resumed play for Auckland, who were now attacking, facing the sun. China was indeed having hard luck in starting the second spell a goal down as, on the run of the play, there was no difference between the teams. Auckland attacked via the left wing, when Lok I robbed Woolley of possession. Midfield play followed, when Jap got away, but his accurate centre was booted out by Braithwaite. Within two minutes of resuming play Lok sent in a high lob shot, which completely baffled Auckland's goalie, who rushed out to meet the ball and missed, but the bounce carried it over the crossbar. It was, indeed, hard luck and they fully deserved to open their score. Midfield play followed, when Chang was again prominent and opened up play, but Wu's shot went outside. Auckland returned to the attack, and Woolley got nicely away, but Hung kicked on to his player, and the ball went behind. The linesman claimed for a corner, but this was obviously wrong and was overruled by the referee. China got away and forced a corner, which was cleared, and immediately followed by dangerous play in China's goal, but Pao cleverly saved. At the other end Wang secured and sent in a good shot, which Batty did well to save. The visitors immediately came again and Chang was almost through, and once agaiu Batty saved his side. Auckland made progress towards the visitors' goal and a forward pass to Humphries was well taken advantage of, the centre forward beating Pao and sending into the net, scoring Auckland's second goal. Auckland. 2 Chinese 0 Following this reverse tooth sides put a lot of spirit into their play, and, if anything, the game was faster than in the opening moiety. The Chinese were i having quite a lot of play, but their 1 shooting was very erratic and too weak to secure goals. Both goals were being visited in turn and the defence was ' given plenty to do. Twenty minutes after play was resumed, Woolley obj tamed possession and sent in a first I time effort, which completely beat Pao j and added Auckland third goal. Auckland 3 Chinese 0 Play at this period was falling away, and it seemed as though the visitors 1 were tiring, although, at times, they put d.ash into their play. At one such time Jap got away on the left and his centre came to Wu, who passed across to Chang, who made no mistake with a first time effort, and opened the visitors' score. Auckland 3 Chinese 1 The visitors enlivened t>y their success and ably led by Chang, made another determined effort, and, after the inside men got well within shooting distance, Batty secured and threw to safety, Auckland pot the ball away and following play in midfield, the Chinese were once more within an ace of scoring, when offside spoilt the effort. Auckland pressed and Woolley had a try at goal, but his shot sailed over. Soon after a Chinese defender miskicked and conceded a corner, but this was placed behind by Innes. A few wild kicks in midfield, with no side gaining any advantage, when Jap secured and sent in a shot, but his effort was misjudged, and just went outside the uprights.

Towards the finish interest in the game commenced to lag, and it was evident that Auckland was holding the upper hand. A determined onslaught on the Chinese goal brought play right in the goal mouth, and the defence was given a sorry time, when Humphries sent in a warm shot which Pao did well in stopping, but the ball went to Marshal], who had no difficulty in adding a further goal, as he had practically only the custodian to beat. Auckland 4 Chinese 1 With only a few minutes to go the Chinese tried hard to increase their score, but the Auckland defence was too solid and the visitors' forwards too slow in shooting. Auckland once more got in the picture, this time Innes sending across a shot which completely beat Pao and added the fifth point. Auckland 5 Chinese ...., 1 Just on time the Chinese had almost a gift goal presented to them when Jap centred and Chang secured and sent in a shot which. Batty dropped and Wu rushed in * should have sco*ed, but Braithwaite got it away. The ball was in midfield when time was called with the score: Auckland 5 , Chinese 1

NOTES ON THE PLAY.

The result of the game to some extent flattered the home team, as there was not a margin of four goals' difference between the teams. The visitors play a sort of flash in a, pan game, and do not follow up their attacks, and their shooting when within range is very weak. Had their shooting been directed more on the target they would have secured some goals and made the score more even. The outstanding players on the visitors? side to-day were H. E. Chang and C. T. Pao, the goalkeeper. The latter was given quite a lot of work to do and effected some really clever saves. Of the shots that beat him, Wooley's was the surprise, as it caught him quite unawares and he made little effort to save it. The other goals he had no chance with.

Chang, the centre forward, was always in the limelight and initiated some good " movements, which were spoilt by his supporting forwards' front-6f-goal tactics. According to earlier reports, the Chinese did very little tackling, but they are evidently gaining experience, as in the first spell they tackled well but not having the weight behind them, their forwards could not make the headway Auckland did.

Of the Auckland team none stood out conspicuously, although in the second spell the forwards showed to better advantage against the tiring Chinese defence, which enabled them to secure a few goals. Whilst touching on the game it is well to mention that according -to returns a crowd of approximately 28,000 was present, and it speaks well for the A.F.A. that everyone had a good uninterrupted view, and there were no accidents, the large crowd being excellently handled and everything going off without a hitch. Next Saturday will witness the first Test match, which should draw even a bigger gate. Included in the New Zealand team will be Campbell, the captain of la3t year's touring team, a deadly shot and sure goal-getter. He is worth seeing in action. A keen game is anticipated, as no doubt the Chinese team will profit by to-day's exhibition, and to some extent improve their tactics.

SECOND DIVISION. V.M.C.A. 2, beat North Shore 1. FOURTH DIVISION. CHAMPIONSHIP REPLAY. V.M.C.A. A 1 drew with V.M.C.A. B i. THE LONG CUP. KNOCK-OUT COMPETITION. North Shore A 3, beat Brotherhood A 0. North Shore B 1, beat W.Y.M.I. A 0. Comrades A 4 beat Northcotc A 0. Comrades B 2, beat W.Y.M.I. B 1.