N.Z. Must Beat Vietnam To Reach Semi-finals

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31523, 10 November 1967, Page 13

N.Z. Must Beat Vietnam To Reach Semi-finals

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) SAIGON. New Zealand and South Vietnam will go into battle in Saigon today to decide which of the two will accompany Australia from Section A into the semi-finals of the National Day soccer tournament.

Australia is already assured of being one of the two teams from each of the two sections to play in the semi-finals and is a hot favourite now to win its group.

The Vietnamese are fast and skilful, and have the most dangerous wing in the tournament in Nguyen Van Ngon. He is sure to give New Zealand’s right-flank defenders a torrid 90 minutes. "Last night’s win was just the tonic the boys needed," the assistant manager, Mr G. S. Smith, said. “To make things even better, we at last look like having our full 18 players fit.” Rock-like Defence New Zealand had an easy victory over Singapore in a rough and tumble game, and was well served by a strong defence. Clever passing by Singapore’s attackers foundered on the rock-hard defence of the centre-half and captain, T. McNab, and the backs, C. Lattimour and G. Lake. The return of the team vicecaptain, K. France, who missed the Australian match through illness, also made a big difference. He lifted New Zealand's mid-field play. The game was marked by robust, often rough play, and the New Zealanders occasionally sought to use their greater weight to advantage in tackling. But the referee was kept busy whistling in-! fringements on both sides. New Zealand took an early' lead when the centre-forward, i W. E. Thomas, connected | with a cross from his right, and he consolidated the lead with a second goal 13 minutes , later. Two minutes after P. Rennell, in an effort to stave off Singapore's attack passed back to his own goal-keeper. N. Siebert, who failed to hold the ball. The only goal in a drab i second half wai scored by the inside-right, B. Turner in the I sixty-fifth minute. Malaysians Win An extremely skilled Malaysian eleven scored a deserved 2-0 win over Hong Kong, to join South Korea as the semi-finalists from Section B. The two teams are unbeaten, and meet tomorrow to decide the section championship. What the young Hong Kong side lacked in experience it made Up for in enthusiasm, and almost scored in a series of late attacks. But Malaysia, too, could have increased its lead several times during the early stages of the second half, but shots from its centreforward, Agus Salim, and the

wings, Lim Lian and Zulkifli, went astray. two goals were scored by Salim (25 minutes), and Lian (69). The section tables after two full rounds are:

It has won both of its matches and tomorrow will complete its sectional fixtures against Singapore, which has lost its two games. New Zealand and South Vietnam has each had a win and a loss. New Zealand beating Singapore, 3-1. in its latest match on Wednesday, and losing 3-5 to Australia. Vietnam beat Singapore, 2-0, and was defeated. 1-0, by Australia. Better Goal Average The Vietnamese need only to draw with New Zealand today to join Australia, for they have the better goal average—2-1 to New Zealand's 6-6. Vietnam has the advantage of playing on its home ground, in its usual conditions and before its own supporters. New Zealand has the knowledge that although the Vietnamese are probably, man for man. greater footballing artists, they are weak in front of goal, as they showed against both Singapore and Australia.

SECTION A Goals W L F A Pts Australia 2 0 6 3 4 S. Vietnam 1 1 *> 1 2 N. Zealand .. 1 1 6 6 2 Singapore n 2 1 5 0 SECTION B S. Korea 2 0 4 1 4 Malaysia 2 n 5 4 Thailand 0 2 3 6 0 Hong ■ Kong 0 2 0 3 0