Comfortable 2-0 win to Soviets

Press, 24 February 1986, Page 44

Comfortable 2-0 win to Soviets

PA Napier A clinical performance by the touring Soviet Union soccer selection gave it a comfortable 2-0 win over a spirited but tired-looking New Zealand at Park Island, Napier, yesterday. The Russians always looked to have control of the game despite the All Whites having the better of the early Play. The first goal-bound effort came from Dave Witteven who once again impressed in midfield when he struck a left-foot shot from 30m which wasn’t far wide. The Russians took the lead in the eighth minute when they forced their first comer. Viktor Grachev drove the ball low to the edge of the penalty area and it was met well by Zheludko who sent a

left-footer through the crowded defence and into Pickering’s left-hand corner. The All Whites then had their best spell of the match with a move involving Malcolm Dunford and Kevin Hagan, leading to a Tommy Mason cross being headed wide by Grant Turner. New Zealand continued to attack with both fullbacks pushed well forward while Ceri Evans, Allan Boath and Dunford coped well with quick breaks from the dangerous Grachev. The Russians almost grabbed a second goal when Grachev broke once again and his lay-off to Panchik was thundered against the crossbar.

At half-time the New Zealand coach, Kevin Fallon, replaced Tommy Mason with Ken Cresswell and the crowd’s favourite,

Greg Brown, replaced Billy McClure.

The second half had the All Whites tiring considerably while the Russians seemed content to spray the ball round without attacking too often. The Soviets’ substitute, Oleg Morozov, shows a lot of pace and it was no surprise when he scored his team’s second goal — a lovely through-ball from Grachev putting him behind Boath. The substitute slipped the ball past Pickering. Once again Grachev stood out for the visitors with the tall play-maker Valeri Panchik, and the pacy Morozov. The All Whites have yet to put it together up front, but Witteven worked hard at mid-field while Evans was rock solid at the back.

Scorers: Soviet Union 2 (Zheludko, Morozov), N.Z. 0.