SOCCER

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1936, Page 5

SOCCER

AUSTRALIA DEFEATS N.Z. (Pei Press Association.—Copyright) AUCKLAND, July *lB. Australia secured another victory in the final soccer test, played at Blandford Park to-day by four goals to ope. The ground resembled : a quagmire, as a result of the previous- 'heavy rain, while showers fell throughout the play. Th© weather conditions greatly affected the attendance, which was about 2000. The New Zealand side g{ive a greatly improved display, and, although the visitors were definitely the better team, the New Zealanders might have held their opponents to a closer decision but for a number of missed chancesi The players triumphed over the atrocious conditions and gave a splendid exhibition of football, the Australians especially proving that a soft ground did not affect their footwork to a serious extent. It was only in finishing their movements that the visitors failed to cope, with the conditions, many good opportunities being lost through the forwards slipping at the vital moment. Playing with more vigour than in the previous games, New Zealand could claim a fair share of the exchanges in the first half, as indicated by the score of one all. The superior stamina of the Australians was the deciding factor in the second spell, and gave them the opportunity to dominate the exchanges But d'or a sterling defence by New •Zealand over the veJosing .stages, the visitors would have secured several, more goals.