Strikers primed to meet Taiwan

Press, 1 October 1983, Page 64

Strikers primed to meet Taiwan

From

DAVID LEGGAT,

, in Auckland

If New Zealand does not win, and win well, its second Olympic qualifying soccer match against Taiwan at Mount Smart Stadium today, its coach, Allan Jones, will have good reason to be disappointed. Most of the squad’s training sessions this week have been devoted to its offensive play, and were rounded off yesterday with particular emphasis on shooting.

Mr Jones is confident that the defensive problems apparent during New Zealand’s opening match

against Japan last week-end have been sorted out. Even if they are not, New Zealand should still comfortably account for a Taiwanese team which has

looked decidely unimpressive in training. Physicially, Taiwan is a smaller team than the Japanese and will have great difficulty countering New Zealand’s aerial strength in defence. The Taiwanese goalkeeper, Lin Ching-Wang, has struggled against high crosses when under no pressure. Today he will have the

threatening advances of Grant Turner, Steve Sumner, and Allan Boath to cope with. To have any chance of taking anything from the

match, the visitors will have to get their quick elusive attackers behind the bigger, slower New Zealand defence. Taiwan will have to hope that it can disrupt New Zealand’s attacking plans. Mr Jones will probably field an unchanged team for the match, for two reasons. First there is the popular notion that a winning team

should remain intact. From a more practical point, however, there has been no indication during training that he will alter the personnel.

The only change Mr Jones might make is to bring Glen Adam in for Ceri Evans, a straight swap at centre half. Adam is as strong as Evans in the air, and must wonder at times just what his role in New Zealand squads has been in the last two years. Barry Pickering, the first choice goal-keeper, is unfit. His calf muscle injury is slowly responding to treat-

ment, but not to the extent where he could be considered fit for selection.

Colin Tuaa, who came on as a substitute shortly before the end against Japan and promptly set up the final goal, had a slight hamstring twinge on Thursday. However, Mr Jones said yesterday that he would not hesitate to use him if required.

The pitch at Mount Smart is in perfect condition, but gusty winds and occasional showers are forecast for Auckland today.