1937-05-06 — Page 21

THE CHINA MAIL, MAY 6, 1937.

FIRST DIVISION SOCCER REVIEWED

RIFLES CAUSED BIG

UPSET

SOUTH CHIN A HAD TOO STRENUOUS TIME

SEAFORTHS' FINE DEBUT

(By "REFEREE”)

LTHOUGH the standard of soccer in the Colony

A1

has not shown any improvement during the past season, the three divisions of the League pro- vided both players and spectators alike with some thrilling upsets, the outstanding feature being the dethronement of South China “A” and the success of the Royal Ulster Rifles, who have more than justified the support of their followers, by also winning the "Sunday Herald" International Charity Cup competition.

THE SPIRIT IN LOCAL SOCCER HAS ALSO SHOWN LIT- TLE IMPROVEMENT, BUT I WILL NOT TOUCH UPON THIS ISSUE AT THE MOMENT. SOUTH CHINA'S DETHRONE- MENT WAS A SAD DAY FOR CHINESE FOOTBALL IN THE COLONY, AS THEY HAVE ALWAYS SET MARK ON THE LOCAL GAME, AND THEIR DISPLAYS WERE HALL- ALWAYS LOOKED FORWARD TO.

THE

The Rifles have several men to thank for their success. Lieut. FitzDonlea, who first managed the team, built the foundation by carefully weeding out the players, and later Captain Jeffries com- pleted the work. Cpl. Campbell, their pivot and Interport centre half, played a big part in their triumph, and his holding of Lee Wai- tong in the second clash against South China "A" was superb.

to

Unfortunately for the team, he was not in the Colony share in their League triumph. Stevens and Pickering, the two backs, formed a wonderful full- back division, unsurpassed this season, and both look good enough for next season's Inter- port match if still available.

Ferguson, who played on the left- wing and in- the centre-forward position, was the most dangerous forward on view, and his excellent headwork reaped a harvest in goals, while Irwin, on the right-wing, would have walked his way into the Interport side but for an ill- timed illness. His corner kicking has been one of the outstanding features of the Rifles' displays.

THE RUNNERS-UP

«Fung King-cheong, above, the South China “A” and Interport inside right, revealed his best form this past season.

A. Quinn (left) and C. Gomes (right) were outstanding in the Liga Portuguesa defence "this season.

KEEN

FOOTBALL IN

THIRD DIVISION

LIGA SET FINE EXAMPLE: KUMAONS WILL BE MENACE

(By “ROVER”)

[INTEREST in the Third Division was well maintained till the end, and the Fusiliers are to be congratulated in winning the attempt to finish the season by the first Saturday in May, could not Championship, but the Association, in their endeavour to make an

and the Ordnance. agree to a replay to decide the runners-up position between Liga

While the Association, at the last Council meeting, gave pride of place to the Ordnance by virtue of a better goal average, they now fully recognise the Liga and the Ordnance as joint runners-up for this season.

To Liga must go the greatest credit for their performance. Starting two seasons ago with a crowd of youngsters, under the able guidance of P. Xavier, they developed into a good and fast team, and there is no reason why next season they should not secure the title.

One point in their favour is that they have always fielded a full side and have retained their record un- tarnished throughout the season by their gentlemanly behaviour on the field.

SHAKY START The Ordnance also deserve praise. After a very shaky start, during which they lost a few games, they soon developed into a well balanced side. Duffield, who

Rumster, above, of the Fusiliers, one of the most · dangerous forwards in the Second Division.

was

played for Wales and for the Army, ever, one thing followers of the was their outstanding forward, game must appreciate. Lee is prac-while Attoe and Waters contributed tically helpless without Fung King-in so small measure to their suc- cheong, and I must take my hat off cess. In their defence Fisher-Cook, to this "veteran" of the game in and Wheton were outstanding. the Colony, whose brilliance in at- Of the newcomers to the League,

Next in line must come the run- ners-up, South China : “A”, who have been most disappointing this season and, with the exception of a few players, were never really out- standing and scarcely reached the same standard prior to China's par- the League, and they were only tack is unsurpassed throughout the the Kwong Wah did exceptionally ticipation in the World Olympiad in given a fortnight's respite before length and breadth of China. well, and should they be able to re- Berlin. What was really the mat- again taking to the field, as South

tain the same team, will be a - FINE DEFENDER ter with the South China teams China "A" and "B".

Lee Tin-sang, at right-back, has menace next season. Rocha, form- was that they had had too much Lee Wai-tong's temporary retire-been a tower of strength to the erly of Recreio and St. Joseph's, football, and by the time the ment. from the game on his return team, while Pau Ka-ping made an was greatly responsible in keeping 1936-37 season commenced, were from Berlin (he was later request-admirable successor to Wong Wing, the team together. thoroughly stale.

ed to return by South China's sup- whose military career, cut short his

KUMAON IMPROVE

I am not making

Though the Kumaon Rifles suffer- excuses for porters) proved disastrous to the soccer on his return from Berlin. South China “A”, and the fact of then League champions, coupled Tam Kong-pak's inability to make,ed several very heavy defeats in they have their courageous 20 months of soc-with the fact that Ip Pak-wa was a regular appearance brought Lau their opening games, cer must be appreciated. After a taken seriously ill. Every man Mau back into the team in defence, shown a great improvement since. of the fact that they brilliant season in 1935-36, when must have felt the terrific strain of but the latter lacked the under-and in view o they were almost unbeatable, 19 of that European tour, broken up as standing which Tam had worked were able to collect 13 points and their players, including the whole it was, by travelling in strange up with Lee. Wong Mei-shun was suffered some very unlucky and of the "A" team, were selected to lands, and by exhibition games, reinstated after a disastrous 1935 narrow defeats, speaks volumes of represent China, but prior to the

have made, and That they did not finish near the 36 season, but he ruined what the progress ther Berlin games they indulged in a bottom of the First Division is all might otherwise have been a very more is sure to be heard of them strenuous South Seas' tour in the more creditable, this, in view successful season. There is not next season.

Several teams failed to complete which they played over 40 games, of the fact, that they had no re-much more I can add about the winning all and suffered their first serves of an equal calibre to call former League champions.

their fixtures, among whom are St. defeat at the hands of Great Bri- upon...............

The Seaforth Highlanders gave a Joseph's, who were forced to sup- tain in Berlin. They were also

Lee Wai-tong undoubtedly prb wonderful performance in view of ply a number of players to the first beaten in England, but that is old vided the biggest spectacle of the the fact that they had not played team in the latter part of the sea- history.

season whenever he made an ap-football for time time, prior to their son, owing to suspensions, while pearance, and several of his efforts arrival in the Colony, having been neither the European nor the Chin- Their return to the Colony was were worthy of First Division prominent in the Palestine troubles, ese Folice were able to field full preceded by the commencement of standard at Home. There is, how (Continued on Page 22) sides owing to calls of duty.

FORTNIGHT'S REST....