Australia Wins First Test by Good Team Work

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26851, 16 August 1948, Page 7

Australia Wins First Test by Good Team Work

Soccer

P.A,

WELLINGTON, Aug. 15

The Australian soccer team defeated New Zealand by 6—o in the first test at the Basin Reserve on Saturday. The weather was ideal and 4000 people saw New Zealand outplayed in every branch of the game except goal-keeping. The margin of six goals was a conservative indication of the difference between the teams. The visitors had cohesion, confidence, speed, and combination.

The match was contested in the finest spirit the Australians observing the rule that 'the goalkeeper in possession may be charged. The Australians’ passing was neat and quick at ground level and through openings just wide enough, and only when necessary was the ball lifted in powerful long range kicks usually as accurate as the shorter ones. In jumping for the ball the visitors got good height and headed with precision. The conditions while smiling on the visitors, found a number of local players still thinking in terms of mud, rain and wind. The dry ball itself puzzled some. They seemed uncertain of the bounce and were easily robbed of possession. But for King in goal the score would have been, much higher. Harris and Hodgson, full-backs, played doggedly against odds. The final selection placed V. Smith at centre half in place of M. Gordon as being more suited to attack on a dry day. Th* New Zealand forwards did not play well individually or collectively. Parsons at centre forward for Australia, was a tower of strength physically and as a constructive player. Hodge, at right Wing, aged 20, impressed as high grade soccer material among a talented back division. There was little variation in quality, though Drummond, full-back, and Gibb, left half, showed polish in their departments. Australia led at half time by 3 to 0, the full time scorers being Parsons (3), Hughes (2) and Cunningham The teams were Australia: Hougn, Marston, Drummond (captain), Lawrie, Wilson, Gibb, Hodge, Cunningham, Parsons, Hughes and Johns. - . New Zealand: King (Auckland). Harris (Wellington), Hbdgson (Auckland), McKissock (Wellington), V. Smith (Canterbury), Hutchinson (Auckland, captain), Sharpe (Wellington), Sergent (Wellington), G. Smith (Canterbury), Kidd (Wanganui) and R. Smith (Canterbury). In the curtain-raiser to the test Auckland beat Wellington by 2—o in the North Island final of the Junior National Cup under 18 years.

earlier. The Otago forwards, among whom Williams was playing the most impressively, and was making some good runs at outside-right, went away on attack with more determination. Williams carried down, sent a cross handily in the air to the goal mouth, and Berry got his head to it to send the ball between McKenzie and Kelman to beat Pope. Southland 3. Otago 1. Just before half time D. Morrison sent the Southland forward line away, and Ottley carried up on the left. Glen went out to the far side of the goal to pick up Ottley’s cross, but Lang beat him for possession, and Deslandes shot into an empty goal before the custodian got back. Southland 4, Otago 1. Otago showed to better advantage in the early stages of the second spell with the wind at their backs, but promising movements were nullified by offside play. This territorial advantage was short-lived, however, and the Southland defence was turned into attack as D. Morrison fed his forwards nicely. Glen was safe, and T. Gilchrist repeatedly sent Williams down the wing with well-judged carpet placings. •' Man for man, however, Southland had a distinct credit in ability on the day, but the team was slowing up. Pope cleared several Otago shots that had almost stopped rolling by the time they reached him, but when Williams closed in from the wing he gave the lead to his inside men by beating Pope all the way with a firsttime chop shot. Southland 4. Otago 2. Inspired by this example, I. Walsh Closed In and showed beyond doubt that Southland's weakness lay in defence. He, too, beat Pope badly from close in, after eluding the full-backs. Southland 4. Otago 3.

The Southland defence was rattled for a time, and a determined shot would have reaped a harvest of goals for Otago, but the phase passed, and B. Morrison sent his namesake away ;on the Southland right He carried down and transferred to Deslandes. This player's effort connected with the ball In full flight, and Glen did not see the way it went past him. Southland 5, Otago 3. Undaunted by this reverse, Otago attacked and I. Walsh scored. Southland 5, Otago 4. To clinch matters, D. Morrison received and beat Glen with a long shot two minutes before time, and Deslandes scored his fifth goal almost Immediately. The final scores were:— Southland 7 Otago 4 Mr W. Dodd was the referee.