CHINESE SOCCER TEAM.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 August 1923, Page 4

CHINESE SOCCER TEAM.

FAST, CLEVER AND CLEAN PLAYERS. It is; rather unfortunate that tlie Chinese Soccer team will tint conclude their Australian tour in time to permit of a visit to New Zealand during the present football season. The wellknown football writer, Mr A. Boyd, thus refers to the team in the last issue of the Sydney "Referee” : 1 do not know the names of the players now voyaging front Ilong-ICong to Sydney, mml due about August ft, hut I have no doubt they are representatives of China’s gentry. They

are accustomed Lo meeting Europeans cf the higher class in their native cities, and the impressions they take hack to China of Australia will he influenced entirely by the manner in whieh they are received, at this end. Home .-mall-minded people in England formed strange opinions of Australians

during the war, because a man in out battalion climbed Nelson - .* Column while others sat on the kerbstones in

the Strand eating prawns. We cannot judge the Chinese because wo have seen market gardeners

and other labourers in our centres. Shanghai, a beautiful city, has no fewer than {>ooo students. South China

University has loOf), and St. John's College lOttO. These institutions turn out capital athletes under European training. Nay ang College has some wonderfully good Soccer players, and I sincerely trust Mr Millard has culled a tew for his touring team. At Happy Valley r'. cry Saturday enormous crowds from all parts of I long-lvnig assemble to watch (he Soccer. The native players are fast, clover, scrupulously clean - in Ha il method-.. ,- ml receive tlie be-t of treafu ent livm European opponents. Let its hope they will have nothing to complain about during their sojourn in Australia. If they go hath and tell China they met lip-top chivalrous opponents it will mean it great deal for Australia, ami help to cement Anglo-Chineso friendship. I understand a trade commissioner is to follow the team from China, ahe players w ill go hack and talk Australia for month:-; hence. What we have needed all along in the Far Fast has been boost. A Imy in an English school, when asked what he knew of Australia, replied: "Tluil’.s wlu-ie ’frumtvr was born.’’ I have not the -lightest doubt that, just now I hou*ai:ds of Chine-ie are busy acquainting themselves by moan- of maps and hooks with the continent, where then eompalriots will soon he seen in action. ’ilia touring party will comprise If players drawn from ai! parts of China. 'I hey come here with the approval ,-ur.l good wishes oi the President (l.i Yuan Hung'-. The Government has equipped them with kit. and probably they- . ill play ill the i olein s of the Republic. The trin of this team the liist athletic holy to leave the Orient will mean a return \isii mi our part. Let us show the represent at ire ; ol ■HIP.IKK).(It),) ol people how rovallv v.v can treat visiting sport-nan.