CANADA WINS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 87, 4 July 1927, Page 11

CANADA WINS

Second Soccer Test By Odd Goal in Three

THE Canadian Soccer touring team did its bit in celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of the Dominion of Canada by defeating the New Zealand representatives in the second Test at Christchurch on Saturday. Outstanding features of the play were the combination of the Canadians, the poor shooting of the New Zealand forwards, the magnificent goal-keeping of Jim McDougall (Canterbury) the New Zealand custodian. Canada won on its combination and set a terrific pace from the start. The New Zealand eleven were ragged during the first quarter of an hour but settled down after that and became fully equal to their opponents’ play. New Zealand had quite as many, if not more, scoring chances than the visitors, but Canada turned its opportunities to better use. In Australia, an Australian representative eleven proved too good for the Chinese touring team, the men from the warring republic being defeated by six goals to two.

CANADA’S COMBINATION TOO GOOD FOR N.Z. (Special to THE SUN.) CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. Drizzling rain and leaden skies ushered in the second Soccer Test between Canada and Mew Zealand today. but when the game started the rain had ceased, and between 4,000 and 5,000 people were present at Lancaster Park, the Canterbury Rugby Unioh’s fine ground, which had been lent to the Soccer authorities for the game. Both teams had a rousing reception when they took the field. Surface conditions were against flrst-class footwork, but a game full of thrill and Incident was witnessed. Canada was first in the lead, the brilliant Archibald putting the first shot into the net, but New Zealand drew level in the second spell, Newman getting the equalising goal. Amid intense excitement the Kanucks secured the winning point, Turner heading the ball In, and they held it till the final whistle. Although the “All Blacks” fielded exactly the same team as on the previous Saturday, and the eleven had been in training together for nearly a fortnight the team work of New Zealand was disappointing, but many flashes of individual brilliancy were noticeable. NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE VTEW ZEALAND’S splendid backs and halves worked together like clockwork. The weakness lay in the forwards. The passing was wild at times. Canada was the better balanced team, their forwards being quicker on recovery and delivery than the All Blacks. On the whole the teams were well matched, and the fact of the Canadians having played more as a team was responsible for their win to a great extent. Given more play as a team there is little doubt that New Zealand would be more than a match for the visitors. To-day lacked the essential feature of first-class football. Mutual understanding and knowledge of each other’s style enabled passes to be properly timed and not intercepted. There was too much individual play among the New Zealand forwards, which was useless in the face of the tight Canadian defence. “FORWARDS LIKE A MACHINE” The star player of the Canadian front line was D. Turner, who displayed uncanny ball control, being always ready in position -when required, fast ofT the mark, and a deadly shot. All five forwards were like a machine and the line was hard to disorganise. A notable feature was the quick exchange passes from all positions, using every known variety of transference. W. Milligan (outside left) was a clever, fast player with a variety of tactics. W. Gibson (outside right) is a player cast in a similar mould, and lost no time in getting rid of the ball. J. Davidson (inside right), D.

Archibald (centre forward) were not seen to such advantage; nevertheless, they are both fine players. Archibald came into action in the second half and was dangerous whenever he received the ball anywhere near the goal, although he left it mostly to the wingers to make ground. J. Monaghan was the finest half back on the field and showed an unerring sense of direction. As a purveyor he is in a class by himself. W. Brolly (centre half) had a hard task in keeping the New Zealand centre forward, Spencer, bottled up, but gave the forwards plenty of work. At left half M. Moon played solid football and displayed marked interceptive ability. F. Crawley was better than E. Edmunds at back. Crawley used for the first time kicks to great effect in clearing. He is a clever dribbler and never missed once in clearance. Edmunds played a sound game, but without brilliant finish. The goalie, S. Tait, was coolness personified and made some splendid saves in the latter part of the game. NEW ZEALAND'S PLAY New Zealand forwards lacked finish in the execution of their movements. R. Hislop and E. Newman were the stars, Hislop particularly playing a great battling game. He was clever enough on his feet to go through the opposition. Newman also showed some neat footwork. H. Spencer at centre was inclined to stray from his position and upset the alignment, but was unhesitating, given the slightest scoring opportunity. R. Innes (right wing) was inclined to over-carry, but centred Intelligently. H. Balk (outside left) was disappointing, and only came to light occasionally. D. Jones and Pick (halves) were always on the ball, and had the Canadian right wing worried. J. Steere (centre half) was a reliable pivot, but rather overdid "the feeding to the weaker left wing. J. Tinkler on the right, more than had his hands full, holding Turner and Milligan. Of the New Zealand backs, G. Anderson was a tower of strength and distributing judgment. He only once mis-kicked. L. McGirr was another battler. In the goal Jim McDougall played the game of his life and was neVer rattled. At times he was bombarded, taking the ball off the toes of the Canadians, as active as a cat. He seemed all over • the net at the same time and the two he let past were impossible shots. CHINESE TEAM DEFEATED BY AUSTRALIA By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright MELBOURNE, Saturday. The Chinese Association footballers, in their final match in Australia yesterday, were defeated by a representative Australian team by 6 goals to 2. — A. and N.Z.