Asian zone — decider today

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33381, 13 November 1973, Page 18

Asian zone — decider today

<N.Z. Press Association —Copyright? HONG KONG. Australia and South Korea clash today in what has been billed as the greatest football match played in the colony. They play for a place in the World Cup soccer finals in Munich next year.

The match between the two Asian zone finalists will be the decider. The first leg in Sydney ended in a 0-0 draw, and in the return encounter in Seoul last weekend, the Australians . came from 0-2 behind to draw 2-2, thus forcing a play-off in neutral Hong Kong. A spokesman for the Hong Kong Football Association said that all tickets for the match were snapped up within two hours of being put on sale. Some fans had queued all night for the tickets. The play-off will be at the 28,000 capacity Hong Kong Government Stadium. Both sides held training sessions yesterday and officials said that all top players were fit far the big match. Final selections will be made today but officials said tliat both teams were expected to field the same players who played in Seoul. The Australians consider themselves as favourites, but the South Koreans do not think their rivals have any edge. “We are fit and full of confidence and I would say our chances are more than 50-50.” said Mr Oh Wan Kon, spokesman for tile Korean team. Mr Oh said that the Korean coach had inspected the ground and found it in good condition. The weather was also suitable.

Shed fire.—A small wooden shed was well alight when two appliances from the Timaru Fire Brigade responded to a call to 30 Hobbs Street at 2.30 p.m. yesterday. The fire was caused by hot ashes Placed against the building.