ASSOCIATION CODE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1077, 25 July 1924, Page 6

ASSOCIATION CODE

CHINESE FOOTBALLERS. A PERSONAL IMPRESSION. New Zealand is now receiving one of the Idlest history lessons on China, from the visit of the Chinese football team, due's ideas as to what the individual ( liineso members would bo like and do have proved all wrong. lie is essentially modern yet tempered with a charming Oriental modesty. In appearance, aristocratic, for he is representative of China’s finest families. In manner, gentlemanly to a degree; whilst in intellectual attainments, he is possessed of all the knowledge and culture of modern university education can confer. Truly it is an eye opener to meet this charming sample of modern China—one’s preconceived ideas forthwith evaporate! It was inevitable that such a team would attract and appeal to the public and so it has proved, for in the three places so far visited popularity with the crowd lias been a marked feuturc. Yet, at bottom, their chief charm is because they are so Chinese ! Western culture on a celestial background. Off, and on, the football held, the Oriental characteristics peep out. They play sparkling football; they are alert and artistic, skilful and speedy. Solo play is suppressed in machinehko combination, yet, true to type, they arc just a little shy and timid in tackling i the man! Clean and gentlemanly they | are, but lacking in ginger ! Still they get ; goals and win games. It is good to see I •i these Oriental visitors, not only because : they play a clever sporting game, but also because they are so Chinese 1 Wednesday next on the Showground at 2.30 p.m. they meet the Manawatu representatives and given fine weather a attendance should welcome them. TRIAL GAME. The only Association code match tomorrow will be a trial game in view of < the selection of a team to meet the Chinese. It is anticipated that a goodly measure of interest will ho evinced in the trial, the selectors having stated that their ' final choice may riot be entirely restricted to those selected to go into training. The game will start at 3.15 p.m.

NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 24.

At a meeting of the New Zealand Football Association Council, held to-night, the Auckland Football Association wrote stating that it had arranged a match with the Canadians on August 4th. If the match eventuated, the proceeds would be _ earmarked for Blandford Turk, but as it had been laid down that the Canadians had to obtain the consent of the Commonwealth Association before they could play in New Zealand, and while the "’council was willing for the game to take place, it had to be arranged under proper conditions, otherwise they would have the Commonwealth Association claiming 55 per cent, of tlie gate. It was agreed that the match should ouly be sanctioned on these terms.

The following arrangements in connection with the (’ire t ham Cup were approved:—Harbour Board (Auckland) v. [South Auckland, semi-final, at Hamilton, August 2nd; Marist v. JJawbers, at Palmerston North, August 2nd or bth; Sunnyside (Otago) to play Seaeliff, at Dunedin, August 2nd. The final will be played at Wellington early in September.

THE TEAM TO MEET THE CHINESE.

(To the .Editor.) Sir, —I desire to congratulate '‘Offside’-’ ou fiis letter regarding the selection of a Manawatu representative team to meet the Chinese. He is quite right m his criticism, i was u Dawber supporter but may ciitter irom a good many ot Oawber supporters in that JL am. lair and broad-minded enough to see that other men to wnom .credit is duo are being passed over. 'Hie •electors say that the lour men mentioned in last evening s paper are already chosen, and yet the biggest certainty, it we may be allowed to cull it sucli, is Cutler, who has not been chosen so iar; perhaps they are going to give Childs unocnel- chance. Wo were ltd to believe that tile first trial game was to enable the selectors to select a team to do buttle lor .Manawatu, and yet we lind Tucker, who was the best outside lett in that game, alter beating his rival for the position is displaced by yet another Dawber man. But did the soccer enthusiasts see the move? Davies has been selected in one of the trial teams, this time at lett back. Bike the cockney says, "Do you get me?” Something like backing a horse each way. However, that is not all. Bell was played at inside right one half of the trial game, and inside left the other, and what is more played splendidly in both positions; and now we see him chosen at left hall, a position already booked by yet another Dawber man. Don’t worry, as 1 said before, although a Dawber supporter, I consider that tho 11.5. A. wii.g men, Morgan and Tucker, are tho two best wingers in the district, and there is not a pin’s head between Chapman and Davis. Did anyone notice that "Hotspur’s” suggestion regarding putting Hearsay and Kennedy on the left wing, and Dick at back boye fruit ? By the way, it must be difficult for a referee to also bo a selector, for it simply means that if he can find time to watch the players individually then his ability as a referee must suffer accordingly and vice versa. In conclusion, I would ask the selectors to choose tho very best men in their respective positions.- -I am, etc., DAWBERITE.

f Owing to pressure cn our space this letter lias had to be condensed.]