AUSTRALIANS OUTCLASS N.Z. IN SOCCER TEST

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22729, 30 August 1948, Page 7

AUSTRALIANS OUTCLASS N.Z. IN SOCCER TEST

(P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 30. Giving a magnificent display of ball control, anticipation, combination and initiative, all at a speed that New Zealand could not match, Australia won tlie second soccer test by seven goals to nil at Lancaster Park on Saturday. Australia wasted few passes and often collected New Zealand’s, too. Individual cleverness as well as combination was shown by the Australians, one of many examples being when Hodge beat four defenders in as many yards to let Hughes in for a comparatively simple goal. The failure of the New Zealand halves to find the forwards was a tragedy of the game. O’Malley Best of N.Z. Forwards P. O'Malley was the best of the New Zealand forwards, mainly through his understanding with P. Traynor and V. Smith. In the half line Traynor added dash but the line was in trouble because of the Australians’ speed. The backs played well enough individually, but were submerged by the Australian attack. R. King in goal was patchy. Much of Australia's success was achieved by the halves- Wilson, in particular, was brilliant and his stamina was seemingly inexhaustible. Hodge, Parsons and Johns were sharp prongs ol the Australian attack, getting going quickiy. The New Zealanders soon gave the Australian goal-keeper Hough some work todo, but he cleared brilliantly and the Australians took complete control. Parsons a few minutes later scored the first goal off centre from Hodge. Two minutes later Johns put a shot through. There was an exciting race between Hough and L. D. Smith for the ball when O'Malley sent a long cross to the opposite wing, Hough taking the risk in coming far out of goal for it, but he won by a split second and cleared. The Australians went away and a shot from Hughes beat King. N.Z- Misses Likely Chance From the kick-off the Australians again took possession and swept through, Parsons scoring a second goal. A free kick just outside the Australian penalty area gave the New Zealanders the first really likely chance ot scoring, but O'Malley’s shot went wide. The Australians again attacked. A terrific shot from the Australian centre-forward Parsons came into the net with such force that it rebounded almost to where it had started from. In the second spell Hough easily took a long shot from Ottley and sent the ball back beyond half-way where the Australian forwards carried on, Hughes scoring. King just got his hand to the shot from Hughes and a' little later the Australian forwards were swinging the ball around in front of New Zealand’s goal. Hughes passed to Jones, who sent on to Cunningham, who scored. The referee was Mr. T- C. Gotter meyer.