Depleted team’s daunting debut

Press, 25 February 1980, Page 30

Depleted team’s daunting debut

Special correspondent Noumea

New Zealand’s chances of winning the opening match of the Oceania Soccer Cup tournament depend very much on the ability of a makeshift combination to settle quickly. Injuries to key players who would have been certain choices in the side have seriously upset any plans to play the best 11 against a strong Tahitian combination. Tony Sibley led his team in yesterday’s march past at the opening ceremony, but is extremely doubtful of playina. He said yesterday that his injured ankle had improved slightly, but he did not really expect to play until the second game on Wednesday evening, at the earliest.

Glenn Dods, also suffering from an ankle injury, has ruled out any chance of playing against Tahiti, and doubts whether he will play at all this week. He will make a final decision on Wednesday whether to return to Australia, where he plays for Adelaide City. Mark Armstrong, who could have been expected to join Alistair Elder and Mike Groon in the attack, is suffering from a poisoned heel and a lump in the groin. However, apart from Chris Turner, who is troubled by an ear infection, the rest of

the party is in good spirits and looking forward to this evening’s opener.

Surprisingly, Mr John Adshead, the coach, will wait until this morning before attempting to name his team. It is believed that the re« placement player, lan Park* of Trans Tour United, will be named, although he is not expected to arrive until this afternoon.

The New Zealand side trained yesterday morning before attending the colourful opening parade at the Magenta Stadium. They were more intent on watching the second game between Australia and New Caledonia, but there was some interest in a curtain-raiser between Papua New Guinea and the New Hebrides, if only for the appearance of Raymond Coulon.

Coulon, best remembered in New Zealand for scoring a hat-trick in his first Rothmans league game for North Shore in the first game of the 1974 season, led New Hebrides in an interesting battle which, however, never; reached top pace.

The first 30 minutes were scoreless, but four goals, in seven minutes before halftime brought the game alive, Papua New Gujnea eventually won, 4-3, after New Hebrides had missed a penalty and Papua New Guinea had netted one six minutes from time.