A SUCCESSFUL TOUR

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 78, 29 September 1924, Page 8

A SUCCESSFUL TOUR

VISIT OF CHINESE FOOTBALLERS IMPRESSIONS OF THE MANAGER, With the match against Marlborough, at Blenheim, on Saturday, the Chinese Soccer team concluded its tour of New Zealand,, and members of the organisation arrived, back, in Wellington yesterday morning. They will leave Wellington, on Friday next on the return trip to China. "From more than one point of view the tour has been a success," said Mr. A. E. Donne, manager of the team, in the course, .of an interview with a representative of "The Post" to-day.» "We came, here to give exhibitions of football, and to establish a better understanding between the Chinese and New Zealand peoples.- Although we have not won as many games as we would have liked, I consider that the team has acquitted itself sufficiently well to show that tho game really has advanced in China. I don't think we had a chanco in any of the big centres, and my personal opinion i s that the New Zealand representatives played in such a manner as to give our fellows a chance. I don't think the New Zealand teams did their best; they did not try to pile up big scores. What we lacked mainly was power to finish off movements."

In reply to a question, Mr. Donne said that he did; not think there • was any prospect of a New Zealand team visiting China in'the near future. There were three reasons for this. In tlie first place the country was in a very unsettled condition. Another reason was the lack of any central football organisation, and thirdly there was no way of getting large gates to pay for the expenses of such a tour. On the other hand, he 'Sid -not think that China should send another team out for at least five years. By that'time affairs in China might have settled down, and the standard of play would also have improved. The present team was not the best that the country could produce, and in another five.years thqy would possibly have organisations which would enable them to select the men that should be sent on teiir. At present, in selecting a team, they had to go on the recommendations of the coaches of universities, and of the faculties. In his opinion, said Air. Donne, it was quite possible that a club team, such as went to Australia last year, might be sent out, but he was not in favour of such a team being sent out, as it would not.be truly representative of the Chinese people. The student type of player was the right man to send on international tours.

In regard to the lessons of the tour, Sir. Donne said that their outstanding lessons had been the use of the shoulder charge as against the hip charge, which was iv vogue in China. The shoulder cTiarge, it had been found, could be used to great advantage, and ho thought its introduction in China would greatly benefit the ganie. lesson they had received was in regard to shooting." They had realised that it was a mistake to try and dribble the ball too far towards goals before having a shot. Against the strong teams which they had met in New Zealand they had realised that their style of play, as far as shooting went, was of little use. Mr.. Donne said that there was no doubt that Mr. Colin Reid, who had travelled with the team as trainer, had done a great deal towariJS Keeping the men fit. He had also given very wise counsel to the team regarding their play. In the South Island, where they were not so successful as was the case in the North Island, they suffered from lack of men, on account of injuries, and he thought that fact was largely responsible for their somewhat poor showing. In future tours he thought it would be necessary to include 20 players, apart from the manager. In regard to referees, Mr. Donne said that the only objection they could take was in regard to the interpretation of the off-side rule. Otherwise the refereeing was quite satisfactory. He considered Mr. V. Campbell, of Wellington, the best referee they had met. Generally, the standard of rofcrecing in New Zealand was good, but he thought that there would have to be an improvement for international matches. In conclusion, Mr. Donne expressed his thanks to the people of New Zealand to the N.Z.F.A., the V.M.C.A., and other organisations which had assisted in making the tour a success. He was pleased that the tour had been a success from a financial point of view.'

Messrs Vine and Wilson will hold'a iinal expiration-of-lease and pavlnorship sale at their roomß, all day to-morrow;