MORE N.Z., AUST. SOCCER TESTS UNDER REVIEW

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30880, 13 October 1965, Page 21

MORE N.Z., AUST. SOCCER TESTS UNDER REVIEW

(By Our Soccer Reporter.)

If the Australian soccer team beats North Korea in the World Cup qualifying competition in Cambodia next month, it may play in New Zealand while on the way to the finals in England next year.

This and other matters of mutual interest between the two countries will be discussed by the secretary of the Australian Soccer Federation (Mr 1. A. McAndrew) with New Zealand Football Association officials in Wellington. Mr McAndrew broke his. journey in Christchurch to talk to officials of the Canterbury Football Association and continued to Wellington yesterday evening. The discussions in Wellington will revolve around New Zealand’s and Australia’s participation in the newlyformed Oceanic Soccer Confederation which has now received the approval of the international body, F.I.F.A. Give Greater Say “The Oceanic confederation will give both our countries a greater say in world soccer than we have ever had before,” said Mr McAndrew. “In the past we relied on the Asian federation, of which we were members, to put forward our views but with little satisfaction to either of us. “This new body, which will comprise New Zealand, Australia, Papua-New Guinea, Tahiti, Fiji and possibly New Celedonia, will ensure that this far awAjr corner of the world will nb longer be overlooked . in this world soccer council. ; * “In addition, we will be able to ask F.I.F.A. for financial assistance on the same scale as the world body has offered to the newly-emerging African countries. “Of equal significance to both New Zealand and Australia, the new confederation

will bring our two countries into closer touch over soccer matters, to the benefit of both of us.” One of the outcomes of this liaison could be the inclusion of New Zealand in the itineraries of overseas teams visiting Australia, said Mr McAndrew, who became full-time secretary of the A.S.F. five months ago.

During his discussions with the Canterbury F.A., the president (Mr J. Smith) stressed the need for co-operation between New Zealand and Australia over these tours, and for satisfactory financial arrangements to be made.

“I can assure you we will not be hard-headed businessmen over these negotiations. The A.S.F. is not a wealthy organisation but we are financially sound, and if we can help New Zealand to improve its financial position we will do so,” Mr McAndrew told Mr Smith.

“Greater co-operation between us can only enrich both, and it is as much in Australia’s interest that New Zealand soccer should prosper as it is in the reverse.” Mr McAndrew will discuss with N.Z.F.A. officials the resumption of regular visits between the two countries, at club, provincial-state and national levels. This will also be done between all the Oceanic confederation countries, with a miniature World Cup competition taking place inside the confederation. Officials will also discuss an exchange of fixture lists." “This year we would have welcomed to Australia the Sheffield United and Blackpool teams that visited New Zealand. We could have exchanged with New Zealand the Chelsea team that came to Australia. These are the factors we ipust watch for in our future negotiations,” said Mr McAndrew.