Politicians blamed

Press, 15 January 1982, Page 22

Politicians blamed

NZPA staff correspondent Hong Kong Chinese Government officials have been blamed by a soccer fan in Canton for interfering too much in the national team’s preparation before last Sunday’s World Cup match with New Zealand in Singapore. The Chinese team, which was knocked out of the cup when beaten 2-1, spent two weeks preparing for the match in Canton. A Mr Yung, described as a soccer fan for more than 30 years, has told a reporter with a Hong. Kong news-

paper, the “South China Morning Post,” that various Government leaders had visited the training camp in the days leading up to the big match. In a dispatch from Canton, Jim McGhee quotes Mr Yung as saying there was “far too much Government interference” in the team’s preparations and until politics were kept separate from sport, China would not qualify for a World Cup. “There were too many people giving instructions and the players, already nervous about the match,

were confused by all the talking,” Mr Yung said. “I think this may have affected the team’s performance against New Zealand.” He said the players were already facing great pressure and it did not help when Government leaders emphasised the importance of winning for the glory of their country. “I am angry about this because I feel China did not show their true best in Singapore,” he added. “If we are to qualify for the next World Cup, team matters must be left to the coaching staff.”