SOCCER SIDELIGHTS

NZ Truth, Issue 979, 30 August 1924, Page 9

SOCCER SIDELIGHTS

Chinese University Team HONORS EVEN IN SECOND TEST. Visitors' Improved Display. (By "Tottenham.") The second test between the, Chinese University students and New Zealand took place at the Basin Reserve, Wellington, last Saturday, the result being a draw, two goals each. There was v marked improvement m .the display of. the visitors, their footwork, being very tricky* and there is a perfect understanding v between the forwards and halves. With a little luck they would have won. There is no doubt that the Chinese team are very popular with the New Zealand public wherever they appear, as a crowd of , over ten thousand witnessed the game on Saturday last. The All Black team was not New Zealand's best, and there will have to be several changes for the next test if New Zealand want to win; I am tipping the students if the ground is dry. The game was fought out m the best of spirit, and the crowd Were not slow m showing their appreciation of the deft touches and back-heeling of the Chinese team. The play of Ting was a treat to watch, and it is not very often that we see such a scientific display as he treated :us to on Saturday. Chang pleased the crowd, too, with hisdodging and neat footwork. The following players lined up: — Universities: Pao; Hung, Ting: Liang, Wang, Chen; Lok, Jap, Chang, Wu, Ting. , New Zealand: Ewing; Anderson, McKinstry; McCreanor, Roots, Neesham; McDougall, Dacre, Lothian, Daniels, Williams. • New Zealand won the spin of the coin and took advantage of the wind. Lothian kicked off, but Wang nipped m and sent the' students on a visit to. Ewing, but the ball went behind. From the goal-kick Dacre secured and forced a corner off Ting, which, was cleared. China were soon at the other end, and Ewing saved a good shot from Jap. Play was very fast and willing:, each side putting m all they knew to get the lead. McDougall was pulled up for off-side when m a promising position. A tricky bit of footwork by Chang nearly led to a goal, Wu sending the ball .right across , the goalmouth on the carpet, with Ewing out of position— a lucky escape. New Zealand then made tracks for the other end, McCreanor trying a long shot which was too high. China were now getting warmed up, and Ting, outside loft, and, by the way, the best player on the ground, scaled along. the wing and passed to Wu,. who tested Ewing with a fast shot, but the goalie cleared. New Zealand pressed, A., Ting having to concede a corner. A combined movement by the Chinese forwards ended m Chang, having a shot, but there was not enough force behind it. Daniels was next prominent with a nice run, but Ting smothered his final shot. New Zealand made a great effort to score. McDougall carrying the ball down the wing and sending across to Lothian, but Wang was too close, and Lothian sent it out to Williams, who failed with the final kick. New Zealand continued to pj-ess, and Hung saved at the expense of a corner. Williams lost a good chance through faulty shooting. From the kick, Lothian got possession and weftt down on his own, passing to Dacre right m front of goal, but Pao saved by falling on the ball with all the New Zealand forwards on top of him, and while they were hesitating what to do, up he popped and booted the ball away. New Zealand's first goal was the result of a corner, nicely placed, Dacre heading into* the net. I—o.1 — 0. This put some ginger inio the teams, and Lothian was prominent, forcing a corner off Ting. Williams took the kick and Lothian missed an easy goal. The Chinese halves were playing a good spoiling game, and Wang was keeping an eye on Lothian, A breakaway by the New Zealand forwards ended m Dacre . shooting, but Pao was very safe. China now got going properly, and the New Zealand defence had an anxious time. Ting raced- down the wing, passing to Wu, but Ewing came to the rescue. A corner to New Zealand followed, Williams taking the kick, but Lok secured and came away on his own, beating all opposition, McKinstry just booting the leather out. China were now well In the limelight, , and received plenty of encouragement from the spectators. Wang sent to Lok. who centred nicely, Chang just missing by inches. A pretty run down the wing by Lok and a good centre enabled Wu to beat Ewing with a hard drive. 'I—l.1 — 1. New Zealand pressed after this, and Lothian hit the side of the net. Both the Chinese wingers were playing a great game; and Lok got down and passed to Jap, who tested Ewing with a good shot. Lothian made a good run down, but Wang checked him, and sent the ball to Ting, who was off like a hare, putting across a good centre which went begging. China were now pres- | sing, Ting and Chang trying hnrd to I get the lead. Wu was going to shoot when the half-time whistle blew, with the scores level, one goal each. The Chinese had done more than was expected from them against the wind, and they got a great reception on leaving the ground. In the second spell, with the wind m their favor, China had all the game, nnd there was plenty of exciting momenta. Chang started the ball rolling, and nipped away, Ewing running out to save. Ting, outside left, got possession and tried a long shot, but Ewing was there. Jap secured and tested the goalie with a pile-driver. Dacre broke away, but Chen nlppod m and sent to A. Ting, who went through the opposition like an eel, but his final shot went wide. Alex. Ting was giving a fine exhibition of wins play, and he deserved more than one goal. A rush by the New Zealand forwards saw Ting mlakick, but Pao cleared. China were noW out for goals, Alex. Ting and Jap causing the New Zealand defence a lot' of trouble Chang and Wu kept feeding A. Tin tr' and he grave Chang a good chance to score, but the centre mlsßed. Shortly after Jap shot over the bar with ail open goal m front of him. McDougall took play to the other end and forced a corner, but Pao punched out A combined movement by the Chinese forwards spelt danger, Alex. Ting eventually sending behind. The Black forwards couldn't get going Wang Ohong, and Liang being too good for them. A t nice passing bout by UlO Chinese vanguard finished up with Jap sondlng In a ground shot which Ewing had trouble to get away, and Jap caught the rebound and returned the ball to Ewlnjr, who turned It round the post for a corner, which was cleared. Chang showed a clean pair of heels, but his finishing shot was weak. There wan no doubt of the superiority of the visitors at this phase of tho Ramo, Alex. Ting and Chang testing Ewing

repeatedly. China got the lead through Chang, who tricked all opposition and beat Ewing with a shot that sent the crowd cheering. 2—l. Now China had the lead they meant to keep it at all costs, and there were no beg pardons. They played the man as well as the ball, and the excitement increased every t;ime a Chinese player had a pop at goal. New Zealand equalised just before time, Daniels finding the net. 2—2. This put new' life into the All Blacks, and Williams tried a shot, but Pao got rid of it. Ting was soon at it again, but his shot went wide. China were pressing when, the final whistle went, with the scores: China 2, New Zealand 2. ; - Both teams had a great ovation en leaving the field; the visitors receiving: many handshakes and congratulattans, Alex. Ting being carried shoulder high to the dressing rqom;. Pao, between the sticks for China, is a first class goalie, and knows how to deal with shots from all angles. Ting and Hung defended well, both kicking very cleanly, and their placing I was good.. The halves, Chen, Wang, and Liang, fed their forwards well, and bustled the New Zealand forwards at every opportunity. ■ ' The forwards showed, the most improvement, the footwork of Chang and the nippy runs of Alex. Ting being a 'feature of the game, and with Wu, Jap, and Lok they have a very serviceable forward line. Ewihg, m goal for New Zealand, gave a great exhibition. ' McKinstry was rather disat»pplnting, and Anderson had a busy time trying to stop Ting. Roots was the pick of the halves. Of the forwards, Lothian was the most aggressive and. combined well with Dacre , and .Daniels. McDougall . did some smart things on the right wing, but Williams was , too selfish "on the left, practically starving ; Daniels, who is a dangerous forward near goal.