ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

Northern Advocate, 21 July 1923, Page 3 (Supplement)

ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL.

TOURING TEAM'S SUCCESS. A NOTABLE VICTORY. (By A. J. Boyd, in "Sunday Timet;.") Wonderful opportunism on the part of the New Zealand captain, George Campbell, gave his side victory in the .second Soccer Test by 3 goals to 2. He got the three goals for his fide, and left the ground a very happy man. Now Zealand deserved- to win. Australia played as well as their opponents before the interval, but then became ragged. The finish of the New Zealanders was brilliant, and Australia could not pace it with them towards the close. I attribute the victory of New Zealand in a great measure to their superior condition. At Brisbane last week they trooped on to the 'Gabba ground to meet Australia in the first. Test, and as Campbell, their captain, pointed out in "The Referee," four matches in'eight days, a good deal of travelling, and liberal Queensland hospitality, told its talc before the close. Strict training, a minimum number of cigarettes, and much massage, sent them out very fit yesterday on Sydney Cricket Ground. Highland pipers having furnished an overture, Campbell kicked off. Gibb again beat him in the spin of the coin. I have seldom seen more unscientific Soccer in a big match than we experienced before the interval. Overanxiety bad something to do with it, no doubt, but international players ought not to have ballooned the ball the way they did. Lennard, Maunder, and Gilmorc — three splendid sharp-shooters — seldom got a decent chance, it looked as if there would not be a goal on the famous scoring board when the teams turned round, but just before the interval Campbell fastened on a pass from the left and easily beat Cartwriglit from close range., Little Lennard, of Cessnock, had the score equal not long after the resumption, but again Campbell hit the rigging and put his <iucn ahead. New Zealand row settled down to plav the class of football they showed against New South Wales at Went worth Park, but it was a bad bungle on the part of the defence which lot Gilmore, of Mnitland, through. He made the score - —12. Campbell braced up his men for a final effort, and their Avonderful vitality in tho closing stages sent Australia's halves and backs topsy-turvy at times. It nes was fast, and Campbell, Ballard and Balk full of smart moves. Dacre hung back, but seemed to me to be giving the halves a hand. Ballard and Balk brought about the winning point, but it was Campbell who did the trick. There was no mistake this time. Instead of hanging back and conserving their goal lead, New Zealand played for all tliov were worth, and they were attacking when the final whistle went. New Zealand scrambled for tho ball. One of their number secured it and handed it over to Campbell as a souvenir. And he richly deserved it. Australia was weak in the back and half divisions against a brisk team. There will no doubt be several new faces in the Australian eleven at Newcastle to-day. The Ne»v Zealand defence was very sound. Craxton is a good goalie, but he gave away the second goal.