World Cup attempt starts early

Press, 14 May 1979, Page 3

World Cup attempt starts early

NZPA London; The golden dream of beating Australia in the World Cup qualifying rounds lies behind New Zealand plans to send a national soccer squad on a short tour of Britain and Europe later this year. The vice-chairman of the New Zealand Football Assocition (Mr C. Dempsey) said in London: "Australia’s always been the barrier standing in front of our World Cup progress. “We’ve got one great am-l bition and that is to beat' them.’’ The qualifying rounds for! the 1982 World Cup start) next year and Mr Dempsey, who represents Oceania on i the Federation Internationale : de Football Association, said. “We want to be well prepared.” New Zealand intended to send a squad of about 20 players on the tour in Octo-

jber — “to help the coach sort out the. men from the boys” — playing up to eight matches in Britain. These may include games against England “B". Northern Ireland, and a side selected from the Scottish League — excluding the "Anglo-Scots” playing for English first division, clubs that make up much of the full Scotland international team. Some games in the Netherlands and Germany; could follow. i “We’ve given a few Eng-! | lish first division teams ai ifright in the past and wei I reckon if when can get our I players out here for some games it will give the coach a chance to know what’s going on.” Mr Dempsey attended the F.A. Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester United on Saturday but will spend this week finalising an itinerary for the proposed tour.