Costs May Prevent N.Z. World Cup Debut

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31597, 7 February 1968, Page 15

Costs May Prevent N.Z. World Cup Debut

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON. New Zealand’s debut in the World Cup soccer championship this year may be doomed.

Because of a surprise inclusion in a draw that involves great cost and travel, the New Zealand Football Association will consider withdrawing from the competition.

“I just don’t think we can afford to be starters,” the chairman of the association (Mr J. Cowie) said yesterday. New Zealand has drawn North Korea and Israel in its qualifying group for the World Cup. Two Sections Drawn The Asian zone has been divided into two groups. In the other section are Japan. South Korea, Rhodesia and Australia. Matches are played on a home-and-away basis. “It is a long, long way to go to play one game against either North Korea or Israel," Mr Cowie said. “We would need terrific gates here to cover the costs and I don’t think we could do it"

Official notification of the draw had not yet been received but as soon as it arrived, the N.Z.F.A. would discuss the matter, he said.

“The classification of teams tn the Asian zone was not in

accordance with the N.Z.F.A.’s previous understanding,” Mr Cowie said.

“We believed teams would play off In their various confederations, New Zealand being included in an Oceanic group. “This would have matched us against Australia as the only Oceania countries entered in the competition. “Our main reason entering the World Cup was to obtain experience and give our

players something to aim for, under the impression that we would begin by meeting Australia on a home-and-away basis."

North Korea, which beat Australia to win the Asian zone in the 1966 championships, played outstandingly in the tournament in England. It qualified for the quarterfinals, beating Italy, and finally lost to Portugal, 4-3, after leading 3-0.