Selection problems for N.Z. coach

Press, 17 June 1982, Page 36

Selection problems for N.Z. coach

NZPA staff correspondent Malaga

The New Zealand manager John Adshead will face selection problems when deciding upon his team to play the Soviet Union in Malaga on Sunday despite the gallant team effort shown by the Kiwis in the 5-2 loss to Scotland yesterday.

The problem areas for Mr Adshead are the left side of midfield, the fullbacks and goalkeeper. New Zealand’s biggest weakness in the Scotland game was the left flank exposed time and time again by the skilful running of Aberdeen’s Gordon Strachan.

Strachan caused problems for both Ken Cresswell, who had a good attacking game but was suspect on defence,

and for the left back Adrian Elrick.

Mr Adshead's problem is to decide where the blame lies for Strachan’s freedom of movement and whether that problem can only be rectified by bringing a fresh face in at left back or in the midfield. His considerations are complicated by the fact that the strong-running Grant Turner, who would normally hold down the left midfield spot, is recovering only slowly from an ankle injury. The fullback question will pose difficulties also. The right back John Hill gave a creditable performance dealing with the dribbling skills of John Robertson but may be less suited to the task of containing an outright sprinter like the Soviet

Union’s Oleg Blokhin.

On the other hand, it would seem an injustice for Hill to be replaced when he was one of the main contributors to the Kiwi effort against Scotland. The goalkeeping decision is more clear cut. Mr Adshead selected Frank van Hattum over the regular choice Richard Wilson on the basis of the Manurewa player’s present form. But he showed himself to be occasionally uncertain with far post crosses against Scotland. Mr Adshead, therefore, has to decide again between Wilson’s consistency and van Hattum’s reflex ability to stop shots.

After the match the following message was sent to the New Zealand team by

the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon):

“Congratulations on sticking with it. New Zealanders are proud of you."

In Sydney the afternoon newspapers took conflicting stances on New Zealand’s 5-2 defeat by Scotland in the World Cup.

The “Daily Mirror" described it as a “valiant World Cup debut,” with its reporter in Spain writing that the Kiwis put up a remarkable performance. “World Cup battlers New Zealand gave Scotland the fright of their lives at La Rosalea stadium in Malaga,” he wrote. The Kiwis were described as “covering themselves in glory” and playing with a “tenacious display of oldfashioned guts and deter-

mination." The “Daily Mirror,” like most Australians who are ever ones to claim successful New Zealanders as their own, pointed out that the New Zealand scorers, Steve Sumner and Steve Wooddin. played for Australian clubs, which brought a sub-heading of “Aussie boys in gutsy display.” The “Sun,” however, spread the 5-2 defeat as its main sports page lead under the headlines “11.7 mil to be whipped 5-2,” and “Kiwi W'orld Cup fiasco.” Its reporter wrote that the Kiwis would probably never play in the World Cup again. More World Cup news, page 18