N.Z. SOCCER TEAM

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 184, 2 May 1933, Page 14

N.Z. SOCCER TEAM

Prospects in Australia Considered Good RESPECT FOR VISITORS Some ideas as to the standard of Association football in Australia are given by Mr. W. Arcus, of Wellington, who returned from Sydney last week, lie is a member of Diamonds Club, and plays in the junior A team. So far as New South Wales is concerned, no chances are being taken, for a trial match of New South Wales players has already been played. The match was seen by Mr. Arcus, who formed the opinion on the play that the standard shown was not any higher than that of a New Zealand team, and he is inclined to think that the prospects of the New Zealand team are quite good. Beyond the experience that must naturally result from a tour of this kind, he considers New Zealand players have little to learn from Soccer players in Australia. , Mr. Arcus met Mr. H. A. Storey, who was the assistant-manager of the Australian team which toured New Zealand in 1924. He told Mr. Arcus that the New South Wales team to play Now Zealand in the first match on May 20 on Sydney Cricket Ground would be selected from the players taking part in the North v. South trial match. The average age of the New South Wales

players is about 22 years, and all but three are Australian born. The veteran is T. Thompson, of Balgownie, the only one who was' a member of the Australian team in 1924. He is now 28 years of age. As soon as the New South Wales team is selected it will go to Queensland to play two representative matches there, so it is evident that the Commonwealth holds New Zealand’s prowess in respect, and will have their men as fit as it is possible to make them. “The Australian people . are keenly anticipating the visit of the New Zealand team,” said Mr. Arcus. “They were pleased when the names of the New Zealanders were cabled across, and I gave Mr' Storey as much information as I could concerning the players I knew.” Following the trial match, Mr. Arcus picked the following Australian players who were, in his opinion, the best performers :— Goal, W. Morgan (Adamstown) ; Thompson (Balgownie), left-back; T. Tennent (Metters), left-half; 0. James (West Wallsend), centre-half; R. Crowhurst (Metters), outside-right; R. Bryant (Metters), inside right; J. Williams (Weston), centre-forward; R. Bray. (West Wallsend), outside-right. The "Soccer News” says: “Soccer will play its international fixtures against New Zealand at Sydney Cricket Ground this season. This is regarded as a particularly good omen for the financial success of the tour. The Saturday New Zealand matches at Newcastle will be played at the Newcastle sports ground.”