New Zealand’s Memorable Win

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 93, 11 July 1927, Page 11

New Zealand’s Memorable Win

Fast Soccer in Third Test B-Grade Player Proves Real “Find’* MEW ZEALAND Soccer has made a “find" in Campbell, II he was taken from B Oracle football in Wellington to play agaonst Canada in the third test match. He was the most outstanding player on the New Zealand side. New Zealand s one-goal win makes honours even The final contest for the supremacy will be in Auckland on July 23, when the teams meet in the fourth test

(Special to THE SUN.)

WELLINGTON, Saturday. rHE third Soccer test match between Canada and New Zealand, played M n the Basin Reserve on Saturday, will be remembered by the 12,000 people there as one of the hardest-fought games of several seasons. P In their first appearance here against the Wellington representatives, the Canadians indulged in many of the lighter touches of Association—backpassing, feinting, and tricky interplay; but Saturday’s pace was too severe, and the game was played too strenuously to allow opportunities for anything but straight-ahead football. The feature of Canada’s game was its' admirable positional play. The passes, long or short, were passes with purpose in them. The New Zealand team, from short association, could scarcely hope for much fine interplay.

faulty forward play The Canadians fielded the same 11 as in the second test, but several changes were made in the New Zealand team. The halfback line was entirely new. Cooper, Campbell and Burke replacing Tinkler. Steele, and Jones, and in the forward line the new men were Nicolls (on the right). Hooper (at centre), and McCormack and Ballard ton the left wing). Right through, the game was rather between the halves and the backs than between the forwards, for on neither side was the attack equal to the defence. which was outstandingly good. Had either side fielded el forward with real shooting capacity, that side would have piled up a heavy scorf, even granting that the work of Tait (in goal for Canada), and McDougall (New Zealand goalie>, was well nigh faultless; but time after time first-rate work by the halves and wingers went for nothing, af? the centres were unable to add the' touch required. Canada twice missed gift goals, McDougall being hopelessly placed for saving, and many shots flew high. Davidson particularly was unable to keep his shots down. He sent over four in succession. TEAMS NOT BALANCED The Canadians undoubtedly have shown the New Zealand players many useful points, but not in regard to shooting. Their heading is much ahead of New Zealand’s, and was made use of very frequently in making the best of long passes from downfield.

The heading in the goal-mouth was e l xpTr l t S fn d t a h n if erOU3 ' Ar " hibald bein S an

.^ et^ r te am was quite balanced about the centre, with the result that in the first spell New Zealand’s left bore the b**iint of the work, while Canada pieced most faith in the right. tiJl che secon <i half well opened New' Zealand avail itself more fully of cross-play between the wings, and introduce a variety of attacks at the centre. Canada also threw the ball about more openly, its cross-play being often very spectacular. New Zealand’s wing men could not be described as consistent. Ballard often shone out in the first spell, and Nicolls was generally not prominent, but in the second the case was reversed, Ballard being disappointing. Possibly the pace was too hot. It was remarkable, in fact, that such a pace could be maintained. At times the tackling became rather too solid altogether, and the interchanges of heavyweight charges were too noticeable, but the referee, Mr. A. E. Caisley, ruled promptly in spite of the pace and keenness. It was happily a game of no accidents. CAMPBELL’S STERLING GAME Of the outstanding players there must be mentioned Tait (Canada’s goalkeeper), Crawley (captain), Edmonds (at back), and Moon (right half). Crawley’s long saving kicks were admirably placed to turn the tide of attack. This long placing of his must be watched in future matches. Edmonds also did some first-rate placing, but it did not seem to be so dangerous to the opponents. Moon and also Brolly were the life of the halfline. Unquestionably, Campbell, playing B grade football in Wellington, played the finest game on the New Zealand side, tackling and feeding with equal success. Two or three of his shots almost got through. Burke, left half, made up for his light weight by a boundless energy in tackling: and it was the keen, consistent tackling of the New Zealand halves which kept Canada’s forwards from showing what was expected of them. Newman did not live up to his reputation for dangerous shooting. Anderson and McGirr, at back, made few mistakes, though they did not show the Finesse of Crawley and Edmonds in placing. McDougall made no mistakes at all. The strongest possible New Zealand forward line is required for the final test.