CHINESE SOCCER TEAM

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11882, 16 July 1924, Page 4

CHINESE SOCCER TEAM

ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION AT WELLINGTON CHINESE CONSUL AND iEPBESEKTATIVE GATHERING “ BEST THAT CHINA CAN SENS ” The welcome that was extended to tne Chinese University Soccer team upon its arrival in Wellington yesterday by the Maheno from Sydney was of a spontaneous and hearty character. The party arrived in the best of health, having recovered from the effects of the first two days from Sydney, which were rather rough and caused sea-sickness amongst them. Directly the boat was tied up the Chinese Consul in Wellington (Mr Li Kwang Heng), with other prominent representatives of the Chinese community, the chairman (Mr H. G. Mayer), secretary (Mr B. L. Salmon) of the N.Z. F.A., and the chairman of the W.F.A. (Mr W. Duncan) went on board, where the party was assembled in the saloon. Introductions and hearty cheers were exchanged, and the visitors, after being photographed, were conveyed by motor to their headquarters in Wellington, the Empire Hotel. In the afternoon l they indulged in some practice at • Kelburn Park, and to-day will be engaged in sight-seeing or in visiting industrial factories. A pretty little function was when two little Chinese maids pinned gollywogs, with Chinese colours to the coat of each of the players.

WELCOME TO DOMINION

A TEAM OF ATHLETES UNDER THE FLAG OF THE CHINESE REPUBLIC. WELLINGTON’S SUNNY SMILE’. Wellington gave the Chinese "’Varsity visitors the sunniest of greetings as the Maheno quietly steamed its way into the harbour - yesterday morning, and as the boat aporoached the wharf at 10.30 the Chinese Consul, Mr Li Kwang Heng, arrived, -followed by three cars decorated with Chinese Republican fi&jK. There were 300 to 400 people on the. wharf, and representatives of tile vfcrious associations immediately went on board. Accompanying the Consul Were the Assistant-Consul, Mr S. D. ICum Hing, Mr Yue H. Jackson, secretary to the Consul, Mr Low Ah Leong, president of the Chinese Association, Mr Dick Lee, president of the Chinese Masonic Society, Mr Matthew Shuin, secretary Chinese Association, Mr Chin Ting, Mr Ngan Gui Chong, -president Chinese Nationalist Leagpe, Rev. E. Y. P. Lee, Chinese Anglican Church Missioner in Wellington, Messrs H. G Mayer (chairman), B. L. Salmon (secretary), F. Campbell, F. Saunders, R. Y. Walls, W. Allison, H. Yeomam, W. G. Bryce, H. D. Warner, A. Varney, H. I. Graves, A. G. Barnett (N.Z.F.A.), W. Duncan (chairman), R. G. Weir, 11. L. Godber, B. L. Mabin. W. J. Ferkins, W. Auld (W.F.A.), F. O’Connell (chairman), R. Lithgow (Referees’ Association), J. - L. Hay (Y.M.C.A.), E. Taylor, W. Porteous, W. Thomas and a number of club representatives. PRESENTING MASCOTS. As the party went on board they found the visitors in the saloon a» semblcd round the Republican banner, with Mr A. Dome, manager of the team. Introductions were speedily effected, whereupon two little Chinese maidens, Dolly Chin Ting and Edith Wong Tong, proceeded to decorate aii the members of the team with mascots in the form of golliwogs, with streamers in Chinese colours appended. The little ones wore heartily applauded loi their pretty welcome, and then cheers were given for the- visitors, which the Chinese University players thoroughly reoipiocated in English and Chinese. Many were surprised to find that the visitors could speak English quite fluently, far more so than many of the Chinese residents, and they will not experience the slightest difficulty in making themselves thoroughly underotood wherever they go. They are all well educated young men, the pick of the Universities, and individually the best Soccer players to be found in China, superior to the team which visited Australia a year ago. Two of those players ore in the team, H. E. Chang, centre-forwaa’d, and C. S. Wang, centre-half. The latter is the heaviest man in the team and is capable of using his weight if necessary. FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT. The Chinese Consul stated to the “Times” representative that this was the first visit of a party of Chinese people to New Zealand to receive official recognition, and it would marie a new era in tho Chinese community in the Dominion. He regretted that he would not be able to travel to Masterton to witness the Kamo there, but ho would see the game in Wellington on Saturday, and intended to go to Palmerston North. Ho was extremely pleased with; tho nature of the reception which had been accorded them, and hoped that the games would bo enjoyable and the- experiences beneficitl all round. PASSING THE CUSTOMS.

The Customs formalities were soon negotiated, and in the Harbour Board shed a large crowd soon assembled and .welcomed the newcomers. Mr 11. G. Mayer, chairman of the New Zealand Council, said he was very pleased on behalf of Soccer lovers of New Zealand to welcome the Chinese University Soccer team to the Dominion, and to entertain them to a series of games. He hoped their slay, would bo a pleasant one and that they would carry away many iiap-py memories with them. They were looking forward to tho tests about to begin, for they had reason to believe that their style of game -had been -an eye-opener to the Australian people. lie was sure the people of the Dominion would not bo disappointed in the exhibition they worn! give. (Applause.) Mr A. Dome, manager of the Chinese team|, expressed appreciation of tho splendid welcome extended 1 that morning, which was quite different to tho one they received in Sydney. Tho team was entirely composed of University men selected from all paits of China, and if their combination was nob good in the first three or four games it would he- because they had nob had any practice together. Each man was a star player in his University, and after two or three games ho hoped they would he able to get going and that they would “get some of the bacon.” (Applause.) They would bo glad to learn anything new about

the game, but at . the same, time hoped to snow that they knew something about the game. SOCCER, THE NATIONAL GAME. The captain of the team, Z. K. Alfred Ting, chatting about the team and Soccer generally, said Soccer yas the national game in China, tennis came next and then basketball. They did rot play cricket. Football grounds in China were .very hard, and he thought they would like the game on turf when used to it. In Australia they played on grounds- where the grass was some inches long in places, and it made the going very hard. So far as speed went one of the players could do the 100 yards in 10 l-ssec, but the average of the team was about 11 seconds. This is quite as good an average as a representative New Zealand team could, put up. The average age is 23 years, weight about 10 stone, and height sft 6in. The colours of the team, are maroon and gold, and the jersey is smart in appearance. AUCKLAND AND OTAGO. Shortly after the team arrived on shore telegrams of welcome were received from Auckland and Otago Football Associations. It is reported that Chinese residents in Masterton hove already given a oup to .he competed for in Masterton, and are also presenting the Chinese team with a silver rose bowl to take back to China for competition there. After the reception on the wharf the visitors were conveyed in motel's to their headquarters, the Empire Hotel. ON THE FIELD A PRACTICE KICK. After lunch the whole of the players went up to Kelburn Park for a practice kick, where a crowd of about 200 watched them put in a little preliminary training. The goalie, C. T. Pao, is .well above the average heightand of sturdy build. Hie is not adverse to diving into a scrum to dear, and showed that he can take the ball deanly from any angle, and is a solid' kick. Some good shooting will he required! to get by him. The right winger hooks the ball to the centre finely, not attempting to shoot, being content to let the inside men attend to that part of the business. H. E. Chang, centre forward, gave a sample of his shooting, a. low, hard dirive, and it is part of their game that scoring attempts are left to the three iiiside men. This is a hint many New Zealand. players might adopt with advantage. ENTERTAINMENT OF TEAM. The team will be entertained to lundi at the Y.M.O.A. to-day, and the civic reception will be tendered in the main Town Hall to-day by the Mayoc of Wellington (Mr R. A. Wright, M.P.), and it is hoped that the Premier will also be able to be present. On Saturday the team, will be entertained to dinner at the Grand Hotel by the Chinese Consul, and on Sunday they will he taken for a motor trip round the bays and other parts of the city. COMPOSITION OF TEAM OFFICIAL DESCRIPTION. ’VARSITY MEN WITH FINE RECORDS. Tlio following ,is the official information in reference to the Chinese team which was supplied to the “Times” re presentative upon their arrival in Wellington by the manager of the team, Mr A. Dome: All members of the team are university men. One, the captain, is a returned student from America. The manager, Mr A. Dome, is director of physical education in the Y.M.C.A., Hong Kong, having been allocated there by the international committee of the Y.M.0.A., in New York, to which organisation he is directly responsible. There are eleven players from universities in East China, and’ four from universities in South China. Five were born in Kwang Tung provinco, South China, one in Java, one in Liverpool, one in Chili (China) one in Hupeh, and the others in different parts of China. THE PLAYERS OFFICIAL DETAILS. The following is the official description of the players:— 1. Jap Boon Koey, age 21, weight 9st 101 b, height sft fin; Born in Banco, Dutch East Indies. Educated m St. Joseph’s Institution, Singapore; graduated in 1919; entered Hong Kong ’Varsity 1923. Played Soccer for college 1916-1919. Captain of college Soccer 1918. Represented Singapore Chinese in 1918 for Malay Peninsula tour. Played for Java Chinese 1921. Played for St. Joseph’s Old Boys’ Association in Singapore League. Played for Hong Kong ’Varsity in 1923-1924. Other sports: track and tennis.

2. Wu Yon Chang, age 22, born Canton, Kwong-tung, weight 9st 51b, height sft 6in. Educated Nankai College, Tientsin, 1916-1920, Fuh Tan University 1920-1924. Four years college Soccer, 3 years ’Varsity Soccer at Fuh Tan, ’Varsity baseball 1924, ’Varsity basketball Fuh Tan; member of Far Eastern Olympiad Soccer championship team in 1921; broke high jump record in 1921 Olympiad; member of Chinese Olympic team to Japan 1923; inter-collegiate champion for four years in high jump 1920-24. 'Captain of championship Soccer team in national athletic meeting 1924. Represented ’Varsity in inter-collegiate tennis and track; 10 2-ssee for 100 yards. 3. Lowe Po Tah, age 20, horn Canton, 9st 41b, height sft 6in. Played Soccer at Shanghai College three years, four years for Fuh Tan ’Varsity, four years for Fuh Tan ’Varsity in volley ball, inter-collegiate volley, ball champion in 1923-24. Represented East China in volley ball and swimming at national meeting in 1924. 4. Loll Mei Lung, age 21 years, weight lOst 51b, height s’ft Sin. Born Hangchow Chekiang. Plaved for four years with Nan Yang Middle School Soccer team and three years with Nan Yang ’Varsity team. Played in East China championship Soccer team at national meeting in 1924. 5. Chen Po, age 22, weight Bst Sib, height oft 4in. Born Shanghai, Kiangsu. Played Nan Yang Middlo School Soccer team one year, Nan Yang ’Varsity two years; three years ’Varsity baseball. Played in East China championship team at national meeting 1924; played baseball also. 6. Pao Ching Ti, aged 24, weight lCXst, height sft 7in. Born Niragpo, Chekiang, played Soccer Shanghai College, four . years goalie. Four years college ’varsity basketball team. Two years on Tientsin Y.M.C.A. team. Is college champion in shot put and 1 discus. One year Fuh Tan ’varsity Ibaekstbal]. 7. Wan Chen S'hemg. aged 24, weight list 61ib, height sft Bi.n. Born Pekin, Ghili. Educated Pekin University Middle School, played four years in Soccer team. Four years Fuh Tan University Soocer team, four years basketball team, two years baseball team. Intercollegiate ohampion in shot put and javelin. Represented China, in Far Eastern Olympic Games in 1921. Member of basketball and Soccer championship teams at national meeting 1924. Member of Australian tour 1923.

8. Alfred K. Ting (captain), aged 26, weight list lib, height sft 9in. Educated Nian Yang Middle School and Nan Yanig University. Soocer football middle school and ’varsity 1914 to 1919. ’Varsity basketball 1916-1919. ’Varsity baseball 1916-19. Captain of tennis team and college champion 1915-19. Member of China’s Soccer team to Far Eastern Olympiad in 1917. ’Varsity Soccer team Cornell University (U.S.A.), 1919-1920. ’Varsity Soccer University of California 1921. Runner-up Cornell University singles, ranked third in University of California tennis team.

9. Wong Fuh Tan, aged 24, weight lOst 81b, height sft 7m. Born Wuehisli Iviangsu. South-eastern Middle School Boooer teams' four years. South-eastern University Soccer team three years. Inter-collegiate Pentathlon ohampion 1924. ’Varsity tennis two years. ’Varsity basketball four years, and Nanking City league championship team player . 10. Hung Hwai Chang, age 20, weight lOst ollb, heiigjht ,sft-Sin. Born Fukien, Played Soccer five years St. Stephen’s. College, Hong Kong. Two years in Java, one year Hong Kong University. College champion tennis 1922. ’Varsity tennis team Hong Kong University. Active in other sports.

11. Alex. K. Ting, age 22, weight lOst, height sft lOJin, horn Sooobow. Nan Yang Middle School aindl Npii Yang University Soocer teams 1918.1.923 (6 years); five years baseball team; tennis teams, six years. 12. Harry K. Liang, age 22, weight lOst, height sft 7in; born Shanghai; Soochow Middle School and Soocliow University Soccer teams, seven years. Captain of basketball, football, and track and field teams in ’varsity. Member of baseball and tennis teams. Captain! of tliree teams in East China inter-collegiate meetings. Represented China in Far Eastern Olympiadls of 1921 and 1923 in track and! field.

13. Chang Hai Em, age 24, weight lOst, height sft 6in, bpm Pekin. Played Soccer Pekin University Mission School two years, Fuh Ton University ’Varsity Soccer four years. Member of basketball, baseball, and! track team at ’varsity. Member of East China Soccer championship team in national meeting 1924. Member of Soccer tour of Australia, 1923. 14. Lok Lun Naam, aged 20, weight 9st 61b, height, sft sin. porn,. Cardiff, WalesT Played Soccer Canton Christian College Middle School four years, ’varsity one year (captain}, member oif ’varsity swimming teams, baseball, basketball, and track teams. 15. Tsai Tsa Ying, age 24, height sft 6in, weight 9st 61b. Bom Wuchang. South Eastern ’Varsity, four years. ’Varsity basketball four years. Nanking City League champion team Represented ’varsity for four years in inter -collegiate trade add field. Second place in Decathlon, 1924, inter-col-legiate meeting. The team was selected from all parts of China, and the men had never seen each other until they met on the boat. They have only had three days’ practice’ together, and that was in Sydney, in the Royal Agricultural Grounds The team is light and fast, but in China they play the hall and not the man. and they should not bo at a disadvantage in New Zealand if the code, is played with that interpretation. The team leaves Wellington at ten minutes to eight to-morrow for Masterton, return to Wellington on Friday afternoon, and play Wellington at the Basin Reserve on Saturday afternoon