N.Z. emerged with credit

Press, 30 June 1982, Page 25

N.Z. emerged with credit

With two goals scored. 12 conceded, and no points gained, it would be easy to write off New* Zealand’s first venture into the finals of the World Cup soccer championship as something less than an overwhelming success. But three years ago. the thought of a New Zealand team sharing the world's soccer stage with three of its leading artists, and restricting them to an average of four goals a game, was unthinkable, That alone is a measure of the improvement in the national team's playing standard, its attitude to the game, and the work put in by its coach. Mr John Adshead. and his assistant. Mr Kevin Fallon.

It would not be right, however, to regard everything about the tour as a success. Certainly there were aspects about the performances which did disappoint. For example, knowing that every bit of possession was

priceless, some of the distribution was careless, and this led directly to two Brazilian goals.

But the credits far outweighed the debits. The stubborn character and perseverance of the players in refusing to bow down under some intense pressure was admirable, and in each game they gave as good as they got if only in smaller doses. In 'general, the defence performed solidly but losses in concentration cost it dearly at times. Some of the marking was a shade sloppy, but the tidying-up work of Bobby Almond in the final game against Brazil, and by Allan Boath against Russia was outstanding.

What it did lack was real pace to match the likes of Oleg Blokhin, of Russia, and the tiny Gordon Strachan in the opening game against Scotland.

These two players were very instrumental in the success of their teams against

New Zealand. Keeping them under a tighter rein could have brought greater profits.

The mid-field was something of a curate's egg — plenty of good work being mixed with some less than impressive. Keith Mackay was not in Mr Adshead's top 16 a few days before the Scottish match. At his final press conference, the manager singled out the little right mid-fielder as his player of the championship. ' And rightly so, for his endless running, harrying of opponents; and general assistance to the attack was superb. He made up for his shortage of natural talent with a ton of effort. Steve Sumner would not be as happy with his over-all performance, although his display against Brazil was a considerable improvement on his first two matches. His distribution was not what it should, have been and he seemed short on . full 90-

minute fitness at times. Boath did well against Scotland, was the pick of the team against Russia, but fell away against Brazil, while Ken Cresswell had a difficult task on the left flank to combine his natural attacking talents with the more obvious necessities of defensive duties.

Wynton Rufer did particularly well in the first two games on attack, but hardly had a kick in the Brazilian match. He caused problems for some of the game's top defenders and has the potential to become New Zealand's best home-grown player.

Steve Wooddin's work rate was excellent, especially the back-tracking both he ' and Rufer contributed. But he could perhaps have taken on defenders more often down the left wing. When he did, he looked an incisive attacker.

New Zealand was taught many footballing lessons in

Spain. But it can be happy that those lessons were never transformed into a real hiding.

In nine days time, the plavers might well sit down in front of a television screen and watch a World Cup semi-final between Brazil and Russia.

Having had a taste of the atmosphere of the World Cup. these players, most of whom will still be young enough and good enough in four years time, will want to return for a second course. If that is the general attitude then prospects for the immediate future must be bright.

New Zealand's debut in the World Cup finals is now a recent memory. In his final dispatches from Malaga, DAVID LEGGAT reviews the over-all performance and looks at the atmosphere of the Brazil game.