ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 205, 13 August 1927, Page 3

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

(Notes by “Centre.”) The Australian authorities »n Soccer are contemplating a tour of Europe next season. If they take it on, it will be well for them to realise that the standard of Soccer in most of the European countries hag become highly enhanced within the last few years, and that the men who go on tour, speaking English are often under a handicap, because they cannot understand the local language which is generally that spoken by the referee. In this connection, the following extract, from an article by G.W.S., a noted authority, in London “Sporting Life” is worthy of serious consideration :— “The days of the easy supremacy of England at Association football are over. That fact needs to be emphasised. Clubs and representative sides that cross the Channel must always be imbued with the determination to do their best, because it is only their best that will pull them through. The defeats inflicted during the past few days on such powerful clubs as Newcastle United, Burnley, and others should convey a lesson that should be ever present in the minds of those who visit one or more of the many countries where the game is played. And teams should also bear in mind that they have something more than their own reputation tn consider. They are the ambassadors of English football, and exhibitions that disgust the foreigner because of their low standard are a reflection upon Eng lish football as a whole.” A CANADIAN VIEW. Dave Turner, one of the picked forwards of the Canadian team, writing in Auckland at the conclusion of the tour, stated:— The standard of Soccer in this country has been a surprise to us The game, perhaps, fias not developed so far as ours, in the respects of positional play, headwork and shooting precision, but the germ is there.

Keen men are heart and soul for the betterment of the game, and experienced players are contributing the finesse. Were 1 to recommend a change in the style of the play, I would emphasise short passing. The style is the Scots game, and the most effective type of Soccer in the world to-day.

A kick and a rush is generally futile, is not thrilling, and devoid of the science that the game has Attention to control of a ball in a small area would be beneficial, lor it is by the faculty of being able to manoeuvre a ball in a restricted space that lends snap and a pretty effect to the watching. More co operation between wing forwards and the respective halves would develop the penetrating triangle play that is so upsetting to a defence. This wedge formation is highly productive of results, is essential to every good game of Soccer, and. withal, is a very clever movement. Practice* is all that i s needed to bring about the understanding and harmony that marks a winning team. Our boys were utterly strange to each other on assembly in Van couver, but in a few exhibition matches we had a machine that could function smoothly and efficiently. ■ CANADIAN TOUR. SUMMARY OF RESULTS. The record ot the tour of the Canadian Soccei- team is a unique one, and is one with which our visitors can return with pride to their homeland. They played 23 games, won 20. drew one, and lost two, scoring HG goals against 16—a margin of 100 goals. Their finest achievement was the winning of the “ashes,” Following is the table of results:— v. Taranaki—Won, 10—1. v. Wanganui.— Won, 7 0. v. Manawatu.—Won, 6—o v. Wellington —Won, 2 0. v. Marlborough Won, 11 0. v. Nelson. —Won, s—o. v. Buller—Won, 2—o, v. Westland—Lost, o—l. v. Canterbury Won, 6—o. v. Ashburton.—Won, 7 1. v. Otago—Won, 6—2. v. Southland—Won, s—o. v. South Canterbury.—Won. 6—o. v. Hawke’s Bay.—Won, 5—2. v. Wairarapa—Won, 6— 0. v. Poverty Bay—Won. 6—o. v. South Auckland Won, B—l. v. North Auckland—Won. 4—l. v. Auckland—Won, 6—2. v. New Zealand—Drew. 22, v. New Zealand Won, 2 1. v. New Zealand—Lost, 0 1. v. New Zealand.—Won. 4 i

The Canadian goals were scored as follows—Archibald, 34; Turner. 16; Gibson, 14; Davidson, 10; Brolly, 9; Jlonnghan, 7; Pogson. 8: Francis, 4; Thomson, 4; Milligan, 3 ; Crawley. 3: Williams, 2; Paynter. 2