HONG KONG CHINESE BEAT CANTERBURY

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27698, 30 June 1955, Page 11

HONG KONG CHINESE BEAT CANTERBURY

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

Bright Display At English Park

Before a crowd estimated at more than 3000, the Hong * Kong Chinese soccer team beat Canterbury by four goals to three at English Park yesterday afternoon. The weather was ideal but the ground was inclined to be sawdust” Sp ' te o£ tlle liberal use of

. Cnee again the Chinese delighted the crowd with an excellent exhibition °t the code, but it was apparent also that the side was taking no risks of turther injuries to players in view of the second test match to fee played at Wellington next Saturday. There was not that memorable last quarter ■ hc ' ur ' s brilliance that characterised the game at Lancaster Park. The visitors at this period of play were leading by four goals to two, and although Canterbury reduced the leeway by one goal the Chinese were never likely to be beaten. Canterbury has always been noted tor tne accuracy of its short passing game with good positional play the keynote, but yesterday the Hong Kong team showed how this type of football should be played. It was sheer delight to see those well directed passing movements by passing defender after defender as they surged into the Canterbury goal. In the opening exchanges the Chinese wing forwards completely dominated the Canterbury full-backs and it was soon apparent that the local team could not afford the luxury of an intermediate line in close support of its own forwards. These reinforcements curbed the Chinese attack to a degree without in any way subduing it.

The keynote to the Hong Kong team’s success was adaptability and immaculate cohesion. The players concentrated on direct attack and here perfect understanding, coupled with fast ball control, assured a quick switch of the ball from a defensive to an attacking position. Good Hong Kong Combination The less experienced Canterburyattack was appreciated by the Chinese defence. They tackled and intercepted more effectively than in the test match. In this, too, they were helped by fine goalkeeping by Pan Keng-yen. It would be hard to pick out the best players in this team. Constructive football was the keynote with every player contributing to the successful conclusionf of the game. Both fullbacks and halves, combined excellently. The flank halves, too, worked in splendidly with the inside forwards to hold possession for the spearhead. In this department Szeto Man was outstanding on the right wing. Certainly he received a good service of the ball, but he had the speed, cleverness and marksmanship to make the most of every possible scoring opportunity.

Canterbury, on the other hand, was not a happy combination. Last minute changes, through injuries, allowed little time for the players to develop a sure understanding of each others play. This was very apparent during the first half, when the inside forwards and flank halves seldom worked in together. After the interval the position improved, but there still seemed no likelihood of the two departments dominating midfield play. Outstanding here was D. Charlton at right half. With A Laffey, centre half, he constantly covered up during the early eclipse of the fullbacks. In initiating attacking thrusts Charlton showed himself an excellent general in feeling out weaknesses in the defence. His lieutenant here was E. Charlton, who after an initial

poor start gave a solid exhibition of attacking footbath Canterbury’s general all-round disPlay was solid without being brilliant, and it would appear on the team’s showing. that English Trophy aspirations this year can be conveniently forgotten. The teams were: HOng Kong Chinese.—Pau King-yin; Szeto Yeu, Lau Yee; Tang Sum, Lau Che-ping, Chan Chi-kong, Szeto Man, Ho Cheung-yau, Chu Wing-keung, Yiii Cheuk-ym, Mok Chun-wah. Canterbury.— H. Langley (Universy® ■' R - (Nomads), F. Heydon <Weston); IX Charlton (City), captain, A. Laffey (Western), R. Durant (Shamrock); J Gordon (City), V. Smith (Western), E. Charlton (Technical), P. Saunderson (Western), W. Logan (Technical). „ , .The Play Canterbury kicked off, but Yee broke up the movement and sent Mok away. Durant filled the breach when a goal seemed imminent. Pau next saved a nice cross from Gordon, and Hong T r etu ££ ed a strong right wing raid. Ho, Chu and Tong all combined to leave Szeto m charge, and the winger raced in to score brilliantly. Canterbury was playing better now, and after two good forward rallies E. Charlton and V. Smith missed possible goals. At the other end Yui narrowly missed with a header from a centre by Szeto. The Chinese went further ahead when Lau, Ho and Chu took the ball to Szeto. for the winger to race in again and score. Canterbury reduced the leeway soon after. Charlton placed nicely to Logan, who returned for Smith to score after E. Charlton had been blocked by Pau. ~,A , good solo move by Yiu looked hkely, but Langley made a good save. Another Canterbury raid resulted in a penalty, and D. Charlton made no mistake, making the half-time score: Hong Kong 2, Canterbury 2 Canterbury was early on attack after the interval, with D. Charlton, E. Charlton and J. Gordon prominent, but Szeto filled the breach. After a near free kick and two corners had failed, Canterbury was on the defensive with Hayden saving after brilliant play by Szeto and Mok. Smith, Gordon and Saunderson were next prominent in a Canterbury raid, but Pau was safe. Hong Kong now took a turn, and after a scintillating forward thrust Szeto centred for Chu to head the ball home. The Chinese attacked again, and this time Szeto centred for the ball to run free to Mok. who beat Langley all the way. A minute later E. Charlton speculated from outside the penalty area, and found the top right hand corner of the net. Just before the finish the Chinese goalkeeper was penalised for steps, but the visitors cleared easily, making the full-time score: Hong Kong 4, Canterbury 3 The referee was Mr D. Welnam (Dunedin). CONVENT SCHOOLS’ COMPETITION The following are the results of the Convent schools’ association football competition:— A Grade.—Loreto 1, St. Mary’s 1; St. Therese’s 1, St. Joseph’s 0. B Grade.—Addington Convent 4, St. Therese’s 0; Kaiapoi 4, St. Mary’s II 0; Loreto 1, St. Patrick’s 0; New Brighton 3, St. Anne’s 0. C Grade.—St. Therese’s 2, St. Joseoh’s II 0; Addington Convent 0, Loreto II 0; St. Joseph’s I 1, Loreto I 0; Loreto 111 1, St. Anne’s 0.