Numbers gaffej

Press, 17 June 1982, Page 18

Numbers gaffej

From DAVID LEGGAT The peculiarities of the World Cup squad numbering system caught out New Zealand’s manager, Mr John Adshead, at a crucial stage in yesterday’s match against Scotland. , Mr’ ’Adshead decided a fresh pair of legs were needed at the back for the final quarter of the game. He told Rieki Herbert, his reserve central defender, to warm up along the touchline; The F.I.F.A. official approached Mr Adshead and asked him who was coming off. Mr Adshead replied it was to be a centre-back, and began filling out the official card.

As central defenders in-} variably wear the No. 5 shirt} he completed the-card ac> cordingly, his mind being on! other, more important mat-a ters. ■■■ ■ ‘j The F.I.F.A. official held; up a No. 3 — Herbert’s—l and No. 5. Sam MalcolmsonJ was the player due to come* off but he had a No. 11 on his; back. None of' the players} knew who was to be re-j placed. Then, realising gaffe, Mr Adshead made the} necessary change. < But the player whose* official number is fiyfe; th£ Manurewa defender, Dave: Bright, must have wondered’ what was happening,, as be. was sitting in the grandstand! at the time. U