Arok has a dig

Press, 12 October 1988, Page 42

Arok has a dig

NZPA-AAP Sydney The Australian soccer coach, Frank Arok, delivered a broadside at New Zealand's three Australia-based players on Monday. The 16-man Australia squad is in Dunedin in a bid to wrest the Winfield TransTasman Cup from the New Zealand All Whites, beginning at the Caledonian Ground in Dunedin today. Mr Arok said: “By allowing New Zealand national team players to appear here, we are only helping to strengthen their national team. “I am in favour of banning them from joining the New Zealand team if they are appearing in Australian competitions.” The three players involved are the goalkeeper, Clint Gosling, the midfielder, Robert Ironside — both with Sydney Olympic — and the striker Fred de Jong, of Marconi. Mr Arok said: “Gosling is particularly safe, excellent in the air and has lightning reflexes. “Ironside is a very strong player and De Jong has style and a deceptive build-up.” All 16 Australian players are in good shape, and Mr Arok is especially pleased that Alan Davidson decided to turn his back on his forecast retirement. “Davidson was our best player over the past two months, and wii! be a thorn in New Zealand’s side,” he said. The Australian coach gave a clear sign that he is likely to play the newly selected striker, Warren Spink, in the first game. He said: “I'd liken him to the little Brazilian, Romario, who gave us so much trouble in both the Bicentennial Gold Cup and the Olympic Games. “Spink is quick, he is strong on the ball and is one of the players whose first touches are good. “Perhaps the best feature of his game is shown by the fact that he has averaged half a goal per game over the entire National League season.” The confidence of the New Zealand team, under the coach, Kevin Fallon, has been boosted by Australia's loss of seven players from the 20man Olympic Games squad, for a variety of reasons. Mr Arok acknowledged that the departure of Frank Farina for Europe would be the most difficult loss to overcome. “His absence will place a big load on Graham Arnold,” he said.