Soccer win vital for Israel

Press, 9 March 1988, Page 72

Soccer win vital for Israel

NZPA Adelaide The Israeli soccer team goes into this evening’s match against New Zealand in Adelaide knowing it must win to keep its Seoul Olympic tournament hopes alive. After losing 0-2 to Oceania group favourite Australia on Sunday, nothing but two points will satisfy Israel’s Yugoslavian coach, Milenko Mihic. But the All Whites’ coach, Kevin [Fallon, would be happy to come out with one point Ifrom a draw.

Having scraped home with a 1-0 win against China-Taipei, Mr I Fallon hopes New Zealand will

complete the Australian round of the Olympic qualifying series with four points and then capitalise on the All Whites' home advantage when the four teams cross the Tasman for the second round. Mr Fallon told reporters yesterday that he would be fielding a stronger side today than the one which played China-Taipei.

Meanwhile, the Socceroo coach, Frank Arok, has shattered established principles by making seven changes to his winning side for the Olympic Games qualifier against Chinese-Taipei this evening.

The skipper, Charlie Yankos, the keeper, Jeff Olver, the defenders, Wally Savor and, Garry McDowall, the midfielder, Paul Wade, and the strikers, Graham Arnold and Frank Farina,! at this stage will be rested from the game. ; They will be replaced by Mike Gibson, Alex Tobin, Alan Hunter, Andy Koczka, Jim Patikas, Tom McCulloch and Scott 01lerenshaw with the remaining places retained by Alan Davidson, Mike Petersen, John Kosmina and Oscar Crino. :

• An off-field; battle over hotel arrangements is being waged by; all four

soccer teams trying to represent Oceania in the Seoul Olympic Games.

The New Zealand, Australian, Israeli and ChinaTaipei squads are all staying in the same hotel in Adelaide — an arrangement which Mr Arok described as a “disgrace.”

i“We don’t want to be falling over the opposition every time we move and. neither do they,” he said.

"If you are not iplaying against each other it’s all right, but when you have to; go out and beat someone at all costs you must be on your own.”

Inside sport: Pages 45-47