More Like a Battle

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 272, 20 November 1934, Page 4

More Like a Battle

INTERNATIONAL SOCCER. United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. ROME, Nov. 16. The Italian Press is indignant at English allegations of unfair play iu the Association football match between England and Italy. “English brains are clouded by the English fog so that any ray of light coining from abroad is a profanation,” says, Littoriale, reflecting tho general opinion here. “England’s critics arc endeavouring to delude the public t,o maintain the legend of invincibility.”

The cabled reports of tho match, which England won by 3 goats to 2, stated that it was more like a battle than a game. The Italians frequently indulged in Jisticuffs, England’s captain, Ilapgood, resuming after his hose had been broken, while the Italian centre-half, Monti, was crippled and retired a few minutes after the start. Nevertheless, despite the knocks, the teams cheered cacti other at the finish. Signor Mussolini received regular reports of the game. “Perhaps it was a little, rough on both sides. If England’s team is limping, ours is mostly in bed,” said the manager of the Italian team, Commcndatore Pozzo. Continental capitals from Paris to Belgrade published long interviews with local footballers acclaiming Italy’s'prowess in holding England to a goal margin of victory on foreign ground, while Rome itself, after the fever heat had died down, characterises the result as a defeat with hon-