Auckland soccer men may not tour with N.Z.

Press, 8 July 1976, Page 42

Auckland soccer men may not tour with N.Z.

By

BARNEY ZWARTZ

Four top New Zealand soccer players, formerly expected to go on the cancelled Auckland European |tour, have not yet informed the national coach. Barry Truman, whether they are available for the New Zealand trip to Korea in September If they are not, and it is dubious for at least two, four Canterbury players are thrown strongly into contention for their first New Zealand caps. Mr Truman confirmed yesterday that the cancelling of the Auckland tour means far fewer opportunities for players long on the fringe of the national side, but bolstered the hopes of Lawrie Blyth, Steve Sumner, and Trevor Reece, of Trans Tours United, and of Richard Wilson, of New Brighton.

Mr Truman has yet to hear from Brian Turner, Earl Thomas, Tony Sibley, and Praven Jeram, all incumbents, and thinks that Sibley and Thomas are unlikely to be available. Mr Truman, who will be in Christchurch next week, may have a pleasant surprise when he gets here — apparently all he has to do to make Roy Drink water available is write to the Department of Internal Affairs saying that he wants him for New’ Zealand, and he will be given citizenship. By World Cup time in March, for which the Korean trip is a warm-up, Drinkwater will have fulfilled his qualifications. Last year, he would have walked into the side; he is a magnificent player, but has only just regained his national league place. Provided his club form improves, he can probably pack his bags now’.

If Sibley is not available and Reece gains citizenship in time, which he should, the United player ought to go. His main competition for the right back position is Maurice Tillotsen, w’hose age will count against him, while Reece’s versatility will help. The likely composition of the Asian team, according to Mr Truman, will be two gaol-keepers, three fullbacks, three centre-backs, four midfield players, and four forwards, depending on who can cover in which positions. If Sibley does not go, lan Park at left back is the only-full-back certainty; and Reece will have everything in his favour. He is a club mate of Park, has more experience than another rival, Glen Dods, can be more creative, and is young enough to figure in Mr Truman’s plans for some time. If Jeram is not available, although Mr Truman expects

I him to be. Wilson must hat e la great chance. His form is | excellent, he has had previous touring experience with the under 21 side, and yet he is still very young. If Jeram is available. Mr I Truman will probably take Kevin Curtin as his second keeper, plumping for his greater experience and his New Zealand caps. Mr Truman also confirmed that Blyth and Sumner had excellent chances, depending a great deal upon their club form. United's recent i decline has not helped, but the powerful and persistent lobbying of the South Island coach, Doug Moore, has helped, as it has done for Reece. Much hinges on what the three regional selectors think. Mr Truman agreed that the Auckland postponement would affect his ability to increase the strength in depth of the ultimate World Cup squad of 20 as it would have been his chance to experiment.

He must look at the Asian tour with three aims — to do as well as possible, yet balance the importance of winning to his squad with the chance to develop the tactics he deems will be necessary in the cup, which will inevitably involve a little risk, and to try to bring a few players to add depth to his squad. He is concerned that some positions are fragile — Thomas is virtually his only target - man, although Stop Out’s Sam Malcolmson has now received citizenship and must be favoured to tour. Centre-back has been another thorny position, although the sudden entry of Blyth, Drinkwater, and Reece into the ranks of the eligible has considerably eased this problem. The team to tour Korea will be announced later this month.