Brilliant Soccer by Visiting Australians

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 145, 22 June 1936, Page 7

Brilliant Soccer by Visiting Australians

Auckland Beaten 5-2 A GREAT CENTRE-FORWARD Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night. Soccer of a standard seldom revealed in the Dominion was played by the Australian side which defeated Auckland by live goals to two in the opening mutch of the visitors’ tour at Blandford Park yesterday. In spite of the fact that the ground was iu a greasy condition the Australians gave a brilliant exhibition of positional play aud team work and they had a firm grip on the exchanges lor the greater pan, of tne time, xu view of tno fact that it was the first match of lheir tour the visitors created a marked impression with their combination and they should prove a formidable combination by the time the tests arrive. Uncertain weather conditions affected the attendance which was about 400 U. The Australian team had a marked territorial advantage during the game, the local side being occupied mostly on the defence, but there were occasions when the Auckland players aroused the spectators to excitement with someattractive forward play. On two, occasions Auckland reduced its deficit to ouo and the crowd clamoured for an equaliser, but the superior understanding of tlic Australians proved the determiuing factor utfd tho visitors moved to a comfortable lead. Brilliant headwork was a feature of tho visitorsplay, the local representatives being thoroughly outclassed iu this department.

The Auckland players were content to staud off and allow their opponents to make the play, a fault that the Australiaus were not, slow to take advantage of. On occasions when the Aucklanders pressed and adopted more vigorous methods the exchanges were much more even aud seemed to indicate that the visiting side could bo shaken iu its studied typo of play. Iu a brilliant side Smith, the Australian centre forward, was outstanding for his splendid display. He distributed the ball nicely and was easily tho best man with his head ever seen at Blandford l’ark. No matter how awkwardly the ball. came to him he managed to shoot or deflect it accurately with his head. Splendid constructive forwards were Cameron aud Price, both giving their supports every chance with neac passes. Both the wingmen, Wilkinson and Donaldson, proved very fast men. Tho visiting halves displayed a remarkable understanding, so much so that the Auckland forwards and halves often paused in exasperation realisiug that their best efforts were futile against such clean passing and brilliant positional play. Sharp was especially efficient in his half-back work. Although tho Australian full-backs as a comOmation were not particularly impressive Evans individually was ono of the outstanding players on the field. He sa.ved Australia on a number ol occasions with clean aud lengthy kicking, picking up the ball from all angles and heights with remarkable precision. Smith (the Auckland goalkeeper) gave a brilliant display aud was unfortunate that from the only mistake he made the Australians scored. Speed, Haggett and Wright were outstanding men in the Auckland defence. Nice combination was shown by the Auckland forwards .at times, but the players made the mistake of adopting a close passing game at which they were no mutch for the Australians.

Tho spectators, many of whom were evidently drawn by the international aspect, seemed to thoroughly appreciate the play which was of a. fast and open type from start to iinish. There were some thrilling incidents in the closing stages when both goals had narrow escapes chiefly owing to the difficulty experienced by the players in keeping their footing on tho greasy surface. The half-time score was 2 goals to one, Cameron and .Smith scoring fur Australia, while Inncs netted for Auck land. Smith, Cameron and Donaldson netted for Australia in the second haif, Spencer scoring for the local side.