THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH.
TUESDAY, JANUÁRY 2, 1934.
DESCRIPTIVE REPORTS OF THE HOLIDAY SOCCER
Not Even The Brilliance of Skinner Could Save The Navy
SKINNER'S GREAT GOAL-This photograph was taken just as Skinner, Navy left winger was about to shoot his last magnificent goal against the Civilians in the Lai Wah Cup match. He had practically no aight of the goal when he sent in his terrific drive which had McHardy boxton all the way. (Photo: Ming Yuen).
WORST GAME OF THE SEASON
APATHETIC CHINESE TEAMS BORE SPECTATORS
SOUTH CHINA SNATCH TWO LUCKY POINTS
(By "Veritas"),
Athletic
South China 1
0
The best incident in this match was the re- feroo's "all clear" signal. It was greeted with a positive sigh of relief by the spectators, who for seventy minutes had been alternately bored and exasperated by one of the most dismal dis- plays of football on record. Until Tay Qua-tong nodded one into the net (and 60 minutes passed ere this was accomplished) it appeared that neither side had the slightest desire to score. Whilst conceding that both ballooned it yards over the teams included an unusual num- Furthermore he failed to accustom ber of second division players, himself to Tay's style of ap often the South China being especially afproach work, and too
Singapore player ran into position fected in this connection, the for the return pass which fact remains that the type of came. play was far below that expected or which could and should have been seen.
The Athletic had the game in their pockets, yet never seemed to appreciate the fact. Possibly
bar.
never
The whole forward line was but a poor Imitation of the South China, attack as it has come to be known and dreaded.
But if the champions' quintette they were unnerved by such an made blunders in the penalty area, unanticipated position. Anyhow, the Athletic vanners were doubly they accomplished many highly at fault. Kaid after raid was set desirable achievements in getting "P. and fizzled out a few yards the ball near the South China from the objective through, Inck of to put the goal, and then forgot that goal penetrative force were needed to win a match, and finishing touches to the previous creditable work. A Kim-fung. simply refused to shoot.
Au Ping-ming and Mak Sui-hon werd equally to blame. They literally had dozens of opportunit
ATHLETIC WIN GAME FOR SOUTH CHINA.
CORD SAVES SMARTLY for the Reit against the Chinees yesterday as this picture illustrates, Keenly watching him are S. Strange, A. V. Gosano, Beltran and Skinner. (Photo: Ming Yuen).
ASTONISHING LAI WAH CUP FINAL SEES CIVILIANS WIN
(By "Veritas").
"OBSERVE thy opportunity" goes the old proverb, and it is one which, had the Navy borne in mind on Satur- day, would have made them holders of the Lại Wah Cup for the first time since the institution of the tournament
nine years ago. As it was, they preferred the more casual "easy come, easy go" motto and in consequence lost to the Civilians by the odd goal in nine.
THE game was so full of contradictions, that to sum it up In many in a few succinct terms is a difficult task. * respects the Civilians were extraordinarily lucky to win; on the other hand so inexpressibly weak was the Navy de- fence that there could be only one result. Then again we had the losers' attack making rings round their opponents, but all, with the exception of Skinner, becoming com- pletely demoralised when within shooting distance.
SPECTACULAR.
"
The Navy sadly missed Purkins in the balf back line, where Blair, fcGuire and McClurg never arose above the mediocro. McClurg was a tireless worker, but he did not always make the best use of the ball. McGuire appeared to find the occasion
ARBITRARY STRANGE
Strange was typically arbitrary and refused to concedo an inch without tirat making his gesture of resistance. How different would have been the result if a Strange or a Gosano had figured in the Navy rearguard! day than in the previous game against
McHardy was even better on Satur-
In the main the exchanges were ies which they ignored with com painful in the extreme, only oc-plete indifference. Fifteen minutes
Finally the whole thing boiled down kicking. Unfortunately for the Navy feetly timed interceptions for which casional spasms of constructive from the end they hadn't a shot to one person-Skinner. He had no Liddington became infected and he he is well known, but there was nice equal on the field. In additin to scor- allowed two shots to pass him which nble a need of more assurance in to relieve the between them. football coming
more ing three goats, and bolng directly normally he would have saved with tackling. tedious exchange of half hearted Tang Kwong-sum WHA and wholly purposeless attacks. spritely, but he should have had responsible for the fourth, he stood one hand. South China, without L Tin-sang. the courage of his convictions and out head and shoulders above anyone else for sheer cleverness, versatility, Lee Kwok-wni, Yeung Shui-vic, set about scoring goals himself in- tenacity, and all the other qualities and Tam Kong-pak were very stend of endlessly putting the ball which go towards making the ideal
footballer. their across for his insides to fudge. diajointed, and they owed success solely to the futility
CRUEL LUCK of the Athletic forwards
Ho Chor-yin, although hopeless- in front of goal.
ly out of position at centre-half; As an individual display his was too big for him. He was rarely in Wong Wing, in goal whose played manfully in breaking up easily the most spectacular seen in the right place at the right time, Bliss and Howe, Ward and Strange enjoyed safe handling and perfect judg; the South China attacks, yot show local football this
set his couldn't hold him, and he gained most an afternoon of comparativo freedom. ment were good to behold, and ed little idea of how to Leung Wing-chul, half back own forwards going. More im-of the honours when up against the
But nover Blair was also rather inconsistent. pivot, were the only regular pressive was Ip Pang-fai, who redoubtabjo A. V, Gosano.
a man so badly supported. He did not fail, but it can be sold that players to live up to reputation. bottled up Young Poon-hon, and Barnett, his inside partner, after a he never reached top form, Leung covered wide territory whose presence on the fleld might promising start, went to pieces. In
DAZZLING FORWARDS. in defence and attack, and if have averted the winning goal. the second half he lost speed, sense his passes were
always As it was it came while he was of direction and all idea of passing.
Most of the honours for correctly timed or completely writhing with pain from cramp His cup of misery was filled to over-
flowing when in the last two minutes Civilians go to the forwards, who accurate, it must be acknowled on the touchline.
draw. captured the admiration of all specta- he missed an open goal for a
tors with their swift open passing ged that his virtues excreded these shortcomings
movements and amazingly accurate shooting.
που
Lau Mau made a welcome, and quito successful return to the fold. He had to shoulder extra respon- sibility and he met his obligations without giving the slightest sign of faltering. "Neither Loung In- chan nor Tong Kwan were where near form. They played In
Any-
There was no half measures about Lo Hon-cheong and Wong Sik-pul, and what they lacked in polish they sustained in deter mination. It was cruel luck to he beaten in the last five minutes after reducing the op position tack to impotency for the rest of the game.
scusor.
The right wing was a big disa- appointment. Smith was inept, and atrociously slow in receiving, distri- buting and moving the ball. Hudspeth was only really dangerous in the first half, and Langmead was never in the picture except for a couple of shots which deserved goals, but were clever. ly saved by MeHardy.
and
the
in
HARD LUCK LANGMEAD!-One of the few occasions when Langmead, Navy centra-forward, went near to scoring in the Lai Wah Cup game. He is seen here just missing the upright with McHardy beaten, and E. Strange, who had dropped back to defend, sprawled
on the ground. (Photo: Ming Yuan).
ELLIOTT'S INTERPORT
PROMISE
PLAYS WELL ENOUGH TO MAKE SELECTORS PONDER
IN REST V CHINESE CHARITY
GAME YESTERDAY. ·
(By "Veritas").
It is a peculiar, but not unfamiliar trick of chance that the contrary to the expected often materialises. An example was provided by yesterday's football match between the Chinose and the Rest on the Club ground, when tho Rest
won by the odd goal in three,
GOSANO SHOWS "HOW."
And I am not referring to the re-fused to allow Au Kim-fung, Lai Su- ault, although even that was not per- wing and Win Tin-po to take liberties. hapa entirely according to the precon- ceived ideas of a large number of the
A. V. Cosano proved up to the spectators. The point in question is
llt what I have suggested. In my that before the start of the game, report of the Lai Wah Cup game several players expressed the opinion that he is not only happier at loft to me that they fully expected to put back, but decidedly more of an ac up a rather miserable showing inquisition. His second half perfora view of the match, coinciding with nonified. He didn't put a wrong foot,
nnce yesterday was brilliance por the New Year observances.
and those cunning interceptions This, in fact would have been per- with hand and feel were gema, of fectly understandable: yet the game timed accuracy. It was a pleasure turned out to be extremely interesting to watch him in action. and not without a fair Beasoning of
Cord, who saved extities. With
well on
good football. In view of this, and By the same token Sydney Strange the fact that the proceeds were for lived up to past achievements with the Children's Playground, it was an rugged display at right back. An pity that the attendance was not unusual position for him, but by no larger.
means beyond his ELLIOTT'S INTERPORT CLAIMS. occasions, the defence was like a rock, and after the Chinese had scared their The Rest deserved to win, for they goal in the first two minutes of the had the greater share of attacking and game, never looked likely to fall kept the Chineso defence pretty busy, again. especially in the necond half when they captured the winning lead.
Is vis-a-vis, Pau Ka-ping also de- lighted. Ho had a greater number The game, I believe, was regarded and more difficult shots with which as an unofficial Interport "Trial." to deal, but those clean hands were Not that it matters much. But I saw always prepared, and he had not one of the selection committee pre chance with the shots that reached.
game undoubtedly the net. sent, and the offered him food for thought. Never- theless any impressions in this direc- tion must have been pretty well con- fined to the Rest aide.
GOOD CHINESE BACKS, The Chinese were better served in defence than attack. Mak Bul-hon Elliott gave a display which can- and Lo Ilon-ching combined strongly not be ignored. In fact if he re- and kicked with excellent judgment produces such form in the, official and length. It was a game in which trials, the inside right or centre defences were superior to attacks. forward herth looks a good thing) for him.
Leung In-chan was again below form: I have faint susplefon that ho is getting a trifle atale. I hope I if wrong, for on his day there is no better right half back in the Colony.
Elliott was the best of a good at- the Chinese. Ho dealt with all sorts tack. His understanding with Bernic of shots from all angles, and it need- Gosana was such that one might well ed something special to pass him, he pardoned for believing they had Here is another goalkeeper running been playing together for years. He
Leung Win-chul was his typical self. slipped the ball through with per- strongly for Interport honours February
timed Perhaps the best appreciation of Ing the passes, invariably draw- A little too clover at times, but always.
before so doing and entertaining especially when in direct the inconsistencies of the game can allowing the St. Joseph's winger conflict with Beltrao. best be illustrated by stating (quite ample time to make ground and put truthfully) that the Civilians made the ball in the middle. four real attacks in the Brst half and scored three goals. The Navy, continually hovering around Mic
:
HOWE OUT OF LUCK.
With Tang and Fung well bottled up on the wings, the Chinese had to concentrate their energies in the centre. But the inside trio crowded The biggest disappointment was each other and rarely suggested a lot Hardy and Co, could only manage Albert Howe. Not only did the ball of goals. two.
refuse to run nicely for him, but his) (
methods were very much wanting Au Kim-fung worked desperately
the run of the play they should Duncan and Bliss gave impressivo in the first half, Barnett, who put ful work, but Ridley has been seen Tang Kwong-sum, Tver along the
Navy.
Nowo led the lino with old-time) SENSATIONAL LEAD CAPTURED. glowness in collecting passes and afbard, but his jüens were a little too dash and skill, and both wings were prominent in support. Ward was In the second half the Civilians were wretched habit of putting the ball to advanced for Wing Tin-po and Lal
attractive, especially
kept able to carry out about right or nine an opponent instead of a colleague Su-wing, who muddled several promis Gosano alive with well timed passes. dangerous raids; two of them resulted rendered him rather invaluable. Of ing movemerita, Strango and Blekford were equally In goals. The Navy, with three times course it was not the real Howe, but STARTLING OPENING.. predominant against Blair and as many chances could only net twice, auch à display makes one begin to fames, first time kicking being and this after the Civilians had leapt to be expected in a more important pace, with each goal boing rapidly wonder whether it is the port of thing The match was played at quite a fast Li Kwok-ki was not unduly Nevertheless tho forward line a Hetless manner, mechanically
feature.
into a 6-2 lead. were smart in combination, and kept |
Visited in turn. There was a startling Neither worried or overworked in goal. tackling and kicking.
Ernest Strange, Ward and Howe, match. the Civilians strictly on the defence of direction Ho had far less to do than Wong
As against their opposito number, in that order, scored for the winners"
opening. In the first two minutes, showed much senso
for long periods nt a stretch. On
Both Gosano and Hocquard did use the Chinese swept down the field, and when feeding the forwards, and as Wing, and it was not his fault that
in, banged a result both attacking wings Buf- the Athletic lost.
have netted at least six timen. But hardest job, and was not always seen kick from Skinner which would have must not view the game in too serious carpot, which hit the foot of the
accounts of themselves, Bliss had the the finishing touches to
corner to more advantage, One, of course, in a first time pilo fored.
A dreary, hopeless first half was
they lacked the Impotus to push
except when up against scored in any case, and Skinner him- succeeded by even duller exchanges
to advantage home advantages, and the Civilians Barnett, Beltran was very effective. self, replied for the LONESOME TAY
A light, and extenuating cireum-for upright and rebounded into Tay Qua-tong was the only after the interval. One waited in were allowed to scramble out of He shadowed Langmead to good pur-
The early part of the second half tances can be claimed for those who the net.
did not shine so brightly as they vanner with any idea of the goal vain for a serious attempt by tight comers, sometimes in rather
Within another two minutes the an undignified manner, but never pose, and refused to give him mora was sensational. Against all the run did not sh or the value of kicking the ball either sido to got the ball into the
than sufficient repo. Andy Duncan of the play, f
first Strange, then Ward
Rest were on lovel terms, Elliatt theless safely. towards it when within distance. not, and an hour passed before
was rarely in trouble with either put the Civilians further ahead, and The Rest halves and defence making use of an opening to beat.
or Smith, although he found needed Skinner, first from a pensity, Hudspeth But without support ho could Tay, seizing the opportunity, head-
theme] Pau with a fost ground shot. No Rave a happy account of their early aggression a little trying, which rocked the net, and then with Selver Bliss and Skinner
and further scoring took place in this mako but small headway against el past Li from a corner, with the
For all that the Navy have to thank A. V. Gesano and Strange defended A finest shot of who if defence spreadeagled. Even though
match the Athletic defence,
their wingers taped, which was no half, and most of the second moloty Uno dreams about), to give the
Navy
mean feat neeing that the former was expended before Howe, always nothing else, vigorously set about it was all against the run of the the collapse of their own defenders with great determination. They knew
and fighting chance to
to redeem the posi
had to contend with Tang Kwong- a trior, hooked the ball in from a their job of repulsing the South, play, one felt the Athletic had only for the result. It is to the credit of what they were, up against
Howe and his colleagues that their refused to ease up
one minute. tion.
But although forcing
Kum and the Club player with Fung scramble only three yards off the China raids.
themselves to blame.
do
King-mu, both experienced Athletic goal-line. This decided the Issue, Anyway the result was a lucky attacks were so brilliantly conceived Albeit I thought they were rather too Civilians to defend, nometimes Pau Ka-ping showed more than
and carried out that there were no slow in appreciating that Skinner was sperately, they failed to drive home players, who are in the running had an
for Interport honours. uver that ho is a goalkeeper, not thing for South China, who a contro-forward. Four times he only to drop both points seriously luky goals; on the other hand they the danger uput. I have seen Gosano advantages. The climax to a zoome owned something to James and West play better; I think he prefers the of inexcusable errora came when score, to jeopardise their championship for their appalling errors in position-left flank to the right. Now and Barnett walked through on his own was perfectly positioned to
Beltrao was quiet and methodical ing, unconfident tackling and faulty again we saw those rapid and per-and missed an opon goal.
he made very few mistakes and re-l but got his too under the ball and prospects.
APPALLING WEAKNESS.
for
the
The Hon. Bir Thomas Southorn, Colonial Secretary, was prosent with Lady Southern, and officially not the game In motjon by kicking off,
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