Arok expects bitter battle against N.Z.

Press, 23 March 1988, Page 68

Arok expects bitter battle against N.Z.

from I

GARY BIRKETT,

in Wellington

: ! ■ I j r / - ■ ■ - H i •, ’ ■> ■ After the violence which marred Sunday’s clash between Australia and Israel in the [Oceania Olympic’ soccer qualifying series the Australian codch, Frank Arok, could haye been forgiven for telling his players to take it ; easy against New Zealand in th,eir clash at Athleiic Park, Wellington, this Afternoon. ! J i ;

But Mr ‘ Arok, who blamed > Israel for | the shameful violence wjhich erupted' at Christchurch, a bitter (arid physical battle today.] ! “They (New Zealand) will try to intimidate us. They' will hit and kick because they can’t do anything else-against usi,” said Mr Arok. : | !■ He expects the referee to take a firm line on fouls,] especially early in the match, | “Israel got] away | with murder and that resulted in th]e silly behaviour' pf my players, who started to take things into (their own hands.” | ! That| behaviour ■! included ' an act byJ the centre-back, I Garry McDowall, who kicked ] a prone Israel]player in the head] and was sent off.'

If 'Australia beats -New Zealand it will almost certainly go to Seoul but I a loss would open the series up again. Israel - plays China-Taipei in the early match today and a healthy win {will give Jit some: hope of pipping Australia while the New, Zealand (coach, Kevin Fallo'n, has not yet given up hope of hit side ousting the two front-runners I on golal difference, j toll Mr Fallon] has promised that (Australia! will have to “crawl over broken glass to get to Seoul” but he has not taken the same attitude! with his (players, ovjer

the last two days. They had a day] off from training on Monday and the sessions yesteirday were relatively light.] I He noted that some .players appeared jaded against China-Taipei! i on Sunday and said injepting more fun into the Wellington sessions seemed to have them sparking more effectively. * ]. The New Zealand (captain, Malcolm Dunford; has fully, recovered from his hamstring strain! and will take his place at (left back. Dunford played] half a game for his club (side, Wellington United, (] {on Monday and came through that test with flying colours. [! ]| His club mate, Grant Turner, returns to thej si'de after overcoming an ankle injury suffered in the] first

match against Australia at Sydney. His presence (will beef up the midfield] and Turner .is reportedly (kben to show the Australians he is not a spent force at international level as] they have suggested. I The Christchurch striker, John Hanson, is also likely to start for the All Whites.!:. Hanson thought '! ! his international career ] was over last month butijiis unexpected call-up 1.1 has given him the chance to cement ai place in] • the squad for] the World (Cup series in December.]] The former Bradford professional turned jin a

good performance against China-Taipei in Christchurch but; in spite of getting into ] good scoring positions, failed to cap his display'with a goal. | . A change of fortune against Australia would boost his confidence immeasurably but Hanson is the first to acknowledge that the rugged Australian defence will !be the best he has faced. If he or ’ his fellow strikers can ]at last discover the scoring touch that has deserted New Zealand so far in the series a victory over the’ “old enemy” is quite on the cards. Indeed,! an early goal to New Zealand may panic Australia which, while it leads the points table, has not been: entirely convincing sd far in. the series. ! ’ Some rain showers are predicted in the capital this morning but they are forecast to clear by the afternoon. A likely New Zealand team is:— Clint Gosling, Dunford, Ceri Evans, Ricki Herbert, Richard Mulligan, Danny Halligan, Turner,, Declan Edge, Mike McGarry, Hanson, Paul Nixon or Fred De Jong. (I 'I ” The match kicks - off at 4 p.m. ! ;

W L D F A Pt Aust. 30 1 8 3 7 Israel 2 1 1 7 3 5 N.Z. 2 2 0 4 5 4 C-Taip. 0, 4 ■ 0 3 11 0