De Jong gives All Whites win

Press, 10 September 1987, Page 44

De Jong gives All Whites win

From

GARY BIRKETT,

in Wellington

As the New Zealand soccer striker, Fred De Jong, lay in a pool of water after heading home the only goal in the All Whites, 1-0, win over Australia in Lower Hutt last evening, he could not believe he had scored.

“I just lay in the mud and prayed that it would go across the line. It was an unbelievable feeling.” The goal was De Jong’s first strike for New Zealand in six internationals, and the lanky Aucklander was the special hero in a battling New Zealand performance.

De Jong was nursing plenty of bruises after the match, the legacy of a tough -battle with the rugged Australian defenders.

"It was the roughest game I’ve ever played In. There were elbows, fists and boots going in everywhere.”

The referee, Gary Fleet, of Auckland, dished out 49 free kicks, 26 to New Zealand and 23 to Australia. Surprisingly, he did not book one player.

It would have been an injustice if New Zealand had not won the match and with it the Winfield Trophy. It had the Socceroos on the rack after an excellent performance in the first half, adapted well to the sodden conditions and created five clear-cut scoring chances.

De Jong’s goal came after 18min, when he dived forward to meet a delicate Declan Edge cross, and head the ball through the outstretched hands of the goalkeeper, Jeff Olver.

The goal inspired the All Whites and two longrange shots by Kevin Hagan skidded just wide of the post with Olver struggling. Australia enjoyed its best period in the first 20min of the second half, forcing four comers, only for the sturdy New Zealand defence, marshalled by Ceri Evans and Robert Ironside, to hold the yel-low-shirted attackers at bay.

The goalkeeper, Clint Gosling, who was largely unemployed in the first half, earned his winning bonus in the second half. He made two superb saves as Australia pressed for the equaliser and dealt well with a series of crosses produced in the closing stages. The All Whites coach, Kevin Fallon, said that the result was one of the most satisfying of his

career. It was the first time that New Zealand had beaten Australia in six matches under Mr Fallon’s guidance. He said a telegram from the Kiwi rugby league coach, Tony Gordon, provided a big boost for his players. "That telegram was inspirational for us. I still think that Australia are a good side and the conditions certainly helped us. But the future of New Zealand soccer is a lot rosier considering the average age of the side is 23.”

Mr Fallon said that the result made up for a disappointing year for himself. “The tide has been running against me but I think that it has turned.”

The Australian coach, Frank Arok, was disappointed that his 14-match unbeaten streak had. ended, but was quick to praise the New Zealanders.

"We did not capitalise on our possession and the three good chances we created should have been put away. The conditions

did not help us but New Zealand’s tactics coupled with its fight and guts got them there.” Mr Arok declined to comment on Mr Fleet’s performance. “We can’t blame the referee. We lost the match and all we can do is go home and cry."

New Zealand was well served up front by Edge and Mike McGarry, while the veteran midfielder, Duncan Cole, was the outstanding player of the match. His aggressive tackling and high work rate seemingly inspired the younger players around him. The hard working fullback, Richard Mulligan, had an outstanding second half, closing down Australia’s attacking moves and receiving a great reception from the 5000strong crowd when he limped off with a leg injury with two minutes left.

Score: New Zealand 1 (Fred De Jong) beat Ausralia 0. New Zealand won the home-and-away series, 2-1, on aggregate.