N.Z. shapes up well at trainmg session

Press, 30 September 1983, Page 36

N.Z. shapes up well at trainmg session

From

DAVID LEGGAT,

in Auckland

If a good picture is worth a thousand words, then the training sessions of New Zealand and Taiwan at Mount Smart Stadium yesterday spoke volumes for the attitudes of the respective teams as they prepare for tomorrow’s Olympic Games soccer qualifying match. Allan Jones had his New Zealand team go through a purposeful, well disciplined spell concentrating on attack, both down the flanks and at set pieces. In contrast, the Taiwanese drills had a shambolic, disorganised look about them. Indeed, they bore a closer resemblance to a primary schoolboys Saturday morning kickabout than a national squad preparing for a game which could decide whether it progresses to the next qualifying round for Los Angeles.

The Taiwanese have trained lightly since arriv-

ing in Auckland, and according to the team’s assistant coach, Lin Chih-Ming, are still suffering jet lag.

Six of the present squad were in the team beaten, 2-0, by New Zealand at Auckland during the World Cup preliminary round. Mr Lin believes New Zealand is stronger now than then, judged on what he saw last week-end when it beat Japan.

the Taiwanese team is now a better team unit than in 1981, if not as skilled individually, according to Mr Lin. Are the Taiwanese confident of success tomorrow? “The players are happy,” he replied. Fine, but do they believe they can get a good result? “They do not worry if they win or lose, but they will do their best,” explained Mr Lin. New Zealand worked on building attacks from the back, using the full-backs,

Adrian Elrick and Ron Armstrong, The set piece work was impressive, with Ceri Evans, who will tower over whoever he marks, standing out as a key figure.

Mr Jones is satisfied that the defensive deficiencies of last Sunday have been ironed out. Although he will not name his team until tomorrow morning, no changes are likely. “We’re going to keep to our style. We are not overly concerned about what the opposition might do,” said Mr Jones. He admitted to being happy with the shape of things and, had he watched the Taiwanese training session yesterday, he would have been even more content.

Unless Taiwan produces something it did not reveal yesterday, New Zealand should be untroubled to get the two points which will be sufficient for a place in the second round.