International Soccer Test

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 81, 27 June 1927, Page 11

International Soccer Test

Canada v. New Zealand

Exciting Drawn Game

BEFORE an attendance of about 9,000 spectators, New Zealand and Canada met at Soccer today on the Carisbrook (Rugby) ground. After a fast and interesting contest, the game ended in a draw—two goals each way. 1 The Canadians were monaghan without the services of Crawley, their captain, and Monaghan led the side. The New Zealanders were captained by Dan Jones (Auckland). The weather was fine, and football conditions were well night perfect, with the exception of the softness of the playing area. The scores give a good indication of the game, although the visitors had slightly more scoring opportunities. At Brisbane, the third test between Czecho-Slovakia and Australia also resulted in a draw, each side scoring four goals.

New Zealand won the toss, and from the kick-off: Canada immediately pressed, McGirr relieving. The ball was directed to Balk, -whose shot was held safely by Tait, and thewisitors returned at once, Brolly driving in a long shot which skimmed the bar. The Canadians sent in three stinging shots which did not get past the backs. Steere relieved, and a hot attack followed to the visitors’ goal, Tait saving. From a well-placed corner kick by Balk New Zealand kept up the pressure and Tait electrified the spectators with two spectacular saves. FIRST BLOOD TO NEW ZEALAND Each side had a share of the attack. A fine long kick from Brolly was safely held by McDougali, the New Zealand goalkeeper. Relief came from Anderson, and Newman carried play into the visitors’ territory. He passed to

Spencer, whose shot touched a defender and went over the bar. Paynter, Canada’s left half, was removed from the field owing to an injury to his foot, but returned 10 minutes later. Archibald was also off the field for 10 minutes as a result of a collision, and there was a temporary stoppage owing to an injury to Edmunds.

Tait gained applause for a spectacular save from a corner kick by Balk. Good work by Newman placed the ball to Innes, who tricked his opposing back and shot. Tait' partly cleared, but Hislop closed in and sent the ball into the net, drawing first blood for New Zealand. Half-time was called shortly afterwards. Two minutes after resuming Archibald got clean away, drew the New Zealand goalkeeper well out, and beat him, but in trying to dribble the ball through the open goal mouth he struck the upright. Anderson rushed in to defend and inexplicably drove the ball into his own goal net, making the score one all. * PLAY EVENS UP The visitors force*! pi . in and worried McDougall, again, t whom a free kick syds. from the g- .1 mouth was awarded. New Zealand lined the goal mouth and cleared a dangerous situation. A header from Archibald skimmed the bar and another shot was deflected over the bar by McDougall. New Zealand then swept to the attack, a shot from Steere going near the net. The visitors returned, Archibald getting clear through and past the goalkeeper, whom he had drawn out of goal. Unable to shoot the Canadian passed back and the goalkeeper, from an unusual position, well out in the field, picked up and cleared. A hot encounter in Canada’s area ensued. Balk manoeuvred for position, but his shot was intercepted, and Moon headed clear. The pressure was continued, but Tait and Moon saved successive shots, and a drive by Spencer \ went astray. Balk secured the ball and tapped it back to Hislop, who returned it to him. Balk then swung a splendid centre across the goal mouth and Jones sent the ball into the net. New Zealand 2, Canada 1. Tinkler sustained injury and was of£ the field for 10 minutes. Canada rallied with a spirited advance. McGirr headed on to Archibald’s head and left Davidson with only the goalkeeper to beat, but the ball was skied. Archibald and Williams advanced together, and the ball was sent out to Milligan. The goalkeeper stopped the shot, but Williams secured the ball and brought the scores even. Play was fast and even until time was called. A beautiful shot from Balk just missed the net, and Tait fielded splendidly another fine shot from Innes just before -the call of time.