‘Marvellous team effort’

Press, 21 December 1981, Page 32

‘Marvellous team effort’

NZPA staff correspondent ’ Riyadh “We are still alive and who would have put money on us to be in that situation tonight,” the New Zealand soccer coach, Mr John Adshead, said after his team’s amazing 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia yesterday. Amidst scenes of elation in a team room where the Kiwis had to celebrate with fruit juice and water in this

alcohol-free state, Mr Adshead praised his players for “a marvellous team effort.” He refused to criticise his side for their inability to score the second-half goal that would have taken them automatically to the World Cup finals next year. “We opened them up many times in the second half but were simply out of luck,” he said. Mr Adshead said that after the five-goal haul in the first

45 minutes, he had told his players to remain calm in the second half even if the goal did not come. “I wanted them to stay composed and not become frustrated and make silly mistakes and that was what happened,” he said. Mr Adshead said he looked forward to the replay with China to decide the final nation to go to Spain with confidence. “We took three points off

them in this competition and they hold no fears for us,” he said. The New Zealand coach said the choice of venue for the replay was difficult because of the hot climate at this time of the year. “Sydney would probably be the one I would prefer and certainly we will not want to be going to Kuala Lumpur or Singapore with their heat,” he said.