N.Z.-Aust. soccer series confirmed

Press, 26 April 1979, Page 6

N.Z.-Aust. soccer series confirmed

PA Auckland Official confirmation of the two-match soccer series between New Zealand and Australia has been received from the Australian Soccer Federation. The New Zealand Football Association tour director (Mr G. J. Dempsey) said yesterday that after discussions last week, the A.S.F. had now confirmed the matches, the first of which will be played at Newmarket Park on June 13 and the return in Australia probably at Newcastle on June 27. “Newcastle seems the logical choice at this stage,” said Mr Dempsey. “This season they have attracted far bigger crowds to their Philips league games than any of the big centres.”

“Newcastle, coached by former New Zealand captain, Alan Vest, and with the former T.T.U. player, Roy Drinkwater among its ranks,

[is leading the league,” sa:d IMr Dempsey. Mr Dempsey also confirmed the one-match visit by the English first division side, Norwich City. “A lack of interest in other centres around New Zealand has meant the proposed tour by the second division side Cambridge United will probably be called off.” The Soccer Oceania Confederation decided that the question of Taiwan and mainland China was too hot to handle. The problem was left “on the table” for the iF.I.F.A. congress to resolve when it meets at the Moscow Olympics next year. “That will give us a strong indication of what we should do," Mr Dempsey, the secretary of Oceania, said after returning from a meeting with Oceania delegates in Papua New Guinea last week. Mr Dempsey was elected a vice-president and secretary of the federation.