Soccer victories now needed

Press, 31 May 1985, Page 21

Soccer victories now needed

In addition to providing New Zealand with suitably tough opposition, the fourmatch Newcastle United soccer tour also served to answer questions on just who is likely to be around come September when the World Cup qualifying programme begins. Expectations before the tour that Newcastle would indeed give the All Whites the solid workout so badly needed were fulfilled over the four games. Even allowing for an awkward run with injuries which prevented Newcastle putting its best team together, the tour gave a clear insight into just how far New Zealand has progressed since its eight-match journey to Fiji and Britain last year — and it crystallised what areas need 'tightening up in the next three months.

New Zealand played perhaps its best soccer since the 1982 World Cup in the first 45 minutes of the opening match, at Queen Elizabeth II Park: there was character and resilience in coming from behind twice to gain a draw in Wellington; a painful lesson in how vital it is to take whatever scoring chances are created

came in Napier; and the improvement continued in Auckland where, but for two fouls, one at each end. the victory Kevin Fallon had sought at the start of the series probably would have been achieved.

The three internationals against Fiji next week must now produce victories. Not too much should be read into Fiji's stunning 3-0 win over Newcastle in Nadi last Sunday. Conditions for soccer in Fiji are uniquely taxing and the best of teams let alone one carrying injured and half-fit players out of position, would struggle for satisfactory results.

Mr Fallon must be looking for at least two wins in the series — which will be played at Mount Maunganui. Gisborne and Bill McKinlay Park, in Auckland — to fully capitalise on the lessons learned from Newcastle.

With the three full-time professionals, Kicki Herbert (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Shane and Wynton Rufer (FC Zurich), to come into the final World Cup party of 22, the squad of 15 announced by Mr Fallon for the Fijian series

bears a decidedly permanent look. Three New Zealand Permanent Gisborne players. Sean Byrne. Ken Cresswell and Kevin Birch, will join the squad for the match in Gisborne. Of that trio. Cresswell is a dead certainty for final World Cup selection; Byrne and Birch less so. Byrne did not impress in ' the Newcastle series and Birch did not get a run. largely due to the impressive form of Kevin Hagan and Colin Walker, a surprisingly successful combination. r The pair have similar

strengths, preferring to be the target man, distributing the ball for players running off them. Yet they worked well together, although Hagan’s work in front of goal will need to sharpen up.

Mr Fallon seems to have settled on a sweeper playing behind twin centre halves with two pacy full-backs pushing down the flanks. He used Malcolm Dunford and Keith Hobbs as his two stoppers in all four Newcastle matches and they developed into a useful pairing. That leaves Ceri Evans, the third genuine centre half, as the spare man.

Evans was used twice as a sweeper, which was not particularly satisfactory. When the World Cup campaign begins, his probable choice for sweeper will be Allan Boath. It is his best position and Mr Fallon has stated his preference is for the skilful Scottish-born as his last defender. Herbert could find himself captaining New Zealand from right back, while Cresswell or Shane Rufer is the probable left back. Duncan Cole captained the team against Newcastle

but only showed his best in patches. Steve Sumner, when at his best, remains the country’s outstanding midfielder, although he rarely shone against the first division visitors.

Perhaps the most interesting feature of the Fijian series will be the form of Clint Gosling, who comes in for Richard Wilson. the other Australianbased goal-keeper. Strong, commanding performances should ensure Gosling, who performed with distinction in Britain last year, of a place in the World Cup squad.

Of more concern, however. is whether the All Whites can develop one of soccer's more healthy habits, scoring goals. The Fijian series will be the last significant opportunity to boost confidence before the World Cup qualifying competition starts. Nothing would please Mr Fallon more than a bagful of goals against a Fijian team which will provide a very different, but still valuable. test of New Zealand's capabilities than Newcastle did. D.H7/J /.EGG'A/