N.Z.’s chances slim after loss to Kuwait

Press, 21 April 1984, Page 64

N.Z.’s chances slim after loss to Kuwait

Special correspondent Singapore The crumbling New Zealand soccer empire took another pounding as the All Whites went down 0-2, to Kuwait in the Olympic qualifying tournament on Thursday night.

In Singapore’s national stadium, which two years ago played host to the World Cup qualifying classic against China, New Zealand played infinitely better than it had done in the tournament opener against Saudi Arabia, but was again punished harshly for making simple errors. Now, with the only the faintest hope of qualifying, New Zealand must begin the reconstruction job. The coach, Allan Jones, is determined his side will chase maximum points in the remaining games against South Korea and Bahrain. The team he will name tomorrow morning for the night game against Korea will be the best available. “We have to chase the four points,” said Mr Jones. “It is a case of doing what you can with what you have got. We have to attempt to get a result — but not at all costs.

“It would be silly to go all out and charge forward and get beaten, 8-1. That would prove nothing. It is more important that we eliminate errors and build from what was a better performance against Kuwait.” The attacking deficiencies were again sadly exposed against Kuwait. Without players prepared or with the ability to put opposing defences under pressure, New Zealand will remain an ordinary side. The defence was rarely under pressure in keeping the daunted Kuwaiti attack under a firm hold, with Keith Garland showing out and Adrian Elrick doing

well in shadowing the ace striker, Fathi Kamil. The midfield, too, led by a newcomer, Peter Simonsen, adding the running that was missing in the first game, played coolly and covered reasonably well. Only when attempting to go forward did New Zealand look really inferior.

In 90 minutes they forced only one corner and three goal kicks. Kuwait forced six corners and 15 goalkicks. Even attempts to build from Duncan Cole’s long throws came to nothing as the Kuwait goal-keeper, Sameer Said, was able, without challenge, to run out and gather the ball.

After matching Kuwait in its patterned, across the pitch approach of building from the back for nearly 30 minutes, the breakthrough came.

Chased, but not harried by Ceri Evans, Yoursuf AlSowayed ran from halfway to just outside the New Zealand penalty area where he was stopped in his tracks by Keith Garland. From the free kick Naser Al-Ghanem slipped the ball to Abdulla Al-Buloushi who blasted a shot straight to the goal-keeper, Frank van Hattum.

With his high up hit to block, van Hattum failed to hold and the ball slipped through his grasp and over the line. It was straightforward stuff which should have been saved either by holding or at worse, punching clear or pushing the ball over the cross-bar. Five minutes later the castle had crumbled com-

pletely. The right back, Humoud Al-Shemmari, broke deep, turned inside Keith Mackay and crossed deftly into the path of Naser who whipped the ball beyond van Hattum and into the net.

The second spell meandered along with little real excitement, although Kevin Birch for 10 or so minutes did add some spark up front when he replaced the ineffectual Colin Tuaa as Billy McClure’s running mate.

Against Korea it will be no easier. In winning 1-0 over Bahrain in the late game on Thursday Korea again showed its speed and skill in a style reminiscent in some ways of English league football. The Koreans will not be intimidated by New Zealand. Needing points, and goals, against the All Whites, Korea will have to attack (it has scored only one goal in two games) as it might have to make its way through on goal difference. New Zealand will be ready with all but its injured captain, Allan Boath, likely to be considered for the game. Defensively it should cope. The outcome will be decided by the attacking sextet who must at least attempt to take the game to the Koreans.

Without more drive and purpose in the attacking third of the pitch it will have no hope. No one wants to go home from the tournament without at least picking up one point. Unless there is a dramatic improvement that, spare the thought, could become a reality.