Soccer’s plans for World Cup

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33063, 2 November 1972, Page 26

Soccer’s plans for World Cup

(Bp

D. P. MANSBRIDGE)

Player dedication and national finance—these are seen as major needs as New Zealand soccer prepares for the most important six-game series the sport in the country has undertaken.

The players' part will be in fulfilling the six-week summer training schedule set by the national coach, Mr B. Truman. The proof of their dedication will be seen on the week-end of December 17 when about 30 assemble in Auckland to show whether they have carried out the programme.

The role of the N.Z.F.A. is to gather together the finance needed to pay the many expenses demanded by involvement in the World Cup series, so that every possible encouragement is given to the players to get themselves in first-class shape. New Zealand’s qualifying matches will begin in Auckland on March 4, with a vital clash against Australia, and continue in Sydney and Melbourne from March 11 to 24, as Indonesia and Iraq also join the round-robin series. New Zealand will be represented in the World Cup by a squad of 20, and Mr

Truman envisages that six or seven players who did not go on the recent South-East Asia tour will force their way in. “We had 17 players on tour and I believe there will be three or four of those who will not be in the ultimate 20,” he said. “Some players were not available for that tour, some were taken to see how they would stand up to international competition. Much has been learned.

“I have to admit to making one major error. We found we badly needed a player of the experience of Ken France (Christchurch United) or Graham Bilby (Wellington City) in the defence, with the ability to control affairs and give information to his colleagues. “We gave far too much responsibility to the young Invercargill player, Mai Ferguson, by expecting him to take on this role; he had not the experience to carry it out. In fact, Ferguson played extremely well and will almost certainly be in the final squad, but we now know that we will have to include an older, experienced man.”

Mr Truman believes the final 20 will comprise two

goal-keepers, six or seven back-line men (three or four full-backs and three centrebacks), six linkmen and five or six strikers.

On tour, Mr Truman used three linkmen in the games played, keeping two strictly on defence and one in attack. The latter role was filled by the team captain, A. Vest.

“It became necessary to change the role of Vic Pollard from an attacker with Christchurch United to a defender for New Zealand. Once, even, he substituted at full-back. And he did everything we asked of him,” Mr Truman said. Selection in the final 20, as far as the national coach is concerned, is still wide open. Among the Canterbury players who did not go on tour, and named by Mr Truman as strong candidates were France, T. Randles and B. Hardman, of United, and A. Smith, of New Brighton. Another player on his list is the United striker or fullback, I. Park. “Unfortunately, Park and Kevin Fallon (Gisborne City) fail by just a few days to qualify inside the one-year residential period to apply for a New Zealand passport when the series begin.

"However, I shall be in Christchurch this month when I want to talk about this matter with Park because there may be a way in which the restriction, can be eased,” Mr Truman said; Up to 40 players are included in Mr Truman’s summer training programme. “I cannot police the players; it is left to them to carry out the schedule and prove to me they have done so,” he added. After the week-end in Auckland next month, matches are being planned against incoming overseas teams in January, possibly two or three. “I will be using as many

players as possible in these games; certainly not just those who went on the recent tour,” he said. Finally, the 20 World Cup players will be selected, probably late in January, and these will be required to go into a two- or three-week training camp in Auckland in February for a final preparation to the opening game against Australia. “We have the nucleus of the 20 now;. such players as Alan Marley, who had an outstanding tour. But no-one will be overlooked,” Mr Truman said. “At this stage, though, the ball is with the players. I will have to wait to see what they do with it.”