1933-12-21 — Page 12

12

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1933.

STANDARD OF H. K. FOOTBALL NOW AT ITS HIGHEST

VAST

IMPROVEMENT

CHINESE NO LONGER THE INVINCIBLE

THE CHAMPIONSHIP STRUGGLE: WHO WILL WIN?

(By "Veritas").

THE 1933-34 Hongkong football season has nearly roached its halfway stage-near onough at least for some stocktaking to be done, a few comparisons to be made, and a few con- clusions drawn. THERE are several features about the football this season quite distinctive from anything noticeable twelve months ago. Chief among them, and incidentally the happiest, is that the general standard of play has been immeasurably higher. There has been a general improvement in those teams which twelve months ago gave such miserable accounts of themselves!

One Instantly thinks of the Club, the | Athletic and the Navy. The exception Is the Royal Artillory. They have been the victims or one of the re- actionary declines which are all 'too commun In competitive sports. One year up in the clouds; the next des porntely striving week after week to Taise themselves from tho 1.wer rungt of the leaguo tablo.

por-

It is just a case of good players being lost, their substitutes lacking experience, and team work consequent-: ly disorganised. Unhappy, manently stationed units such as the, Royal Artillery are more victimsed by such circumstancon owing to their floating personnel.

CAUSE OF GUNNERS' FAILURE.

Yet even the Artillery have mam- tained a fairly high standard this year, and their present league record is a distinct insult to their worthiness.) It has not been so much their in- feriority on a team which has caused them to lose the majority of matches, as the absence tf first class players

in one or two key positions.

CHINA'S TEAM.

TWO ATHLETIC PLAYERS

INCLUDED.

China's team for Boxing Day was announced this morning, includes ilo Choi-yin and Fung King-mu of the Athletic, whilst Wong Mee-shun has also

been provisionally selected, although It an doubtful whether he will be

able to play. If Wong connot appear, Tay Qua-tong will come in at inside left and Tam Kong- pak will transfer to inside right. The selected team is:

Wong Wing (S.C.): Leung In- chan and Li Tin-sang (S.C.): Yeung Shui-rick, Wong Mee-shan, Fung King-theung, Tam Keng Pak (S.C.) and Fung King-mu (CA). Reserves include Ho Ka- keung and Au Kim-fung (C.A.).

TEST FOR BORDERERS

MAY FIND

CLUB

MY FORECAST.

FIRST DIVISION.

TO WIN:-

Borderers Polico Navy S. China

HINDRANCE TO DRAWI

TO

LEAGUE

PROSPECTS

MUST BE AT

BEST

TO WIN

GUNNERS

Lincolns.

OUT

TO UPSET

THE

LEAGUE

LEADERS

THIRD DIVISION.

Athletic Lincolns

SECOND DIVISION.

TO WIN

S. China

Y. Indians Borderers

TO.WINI-

1

Borderers

R.A.F. Lincolns

O DRAW-

Radio

CHARITY CUP.

TO WIN

England China

SAINTS ALSO HAVE

BIG TASK

The Borderers return to league engagements on Saturday after a fortnight's rest, when they entertain the Club. This should provide an excellent test for the "24th," and from this matc one may be better able to judge the soldiers' championship prospects. It addition

it will an admirable curtain-raiser to the Welshmen's more important engagement on Christmas Day.

own way

In spite of last week's lapse, with speelal reference to Fowler's dis-

then figures are inveterate Hars, jeulty in keeping up with the lead- and I think it is more important ers, but St. Joseph's can't expect to Jappointing loss of form, it la not to take into consideration the have things all their

likey that the Club will attempt to current form of the Artillery. make team changes unless toreod. Their

against the Ath etic. The Chinese Ito by other circumstances, such as them to have struck a winning quick to scize upon any weakening last two outings show are improving every week, and are injurica. Fowler, 1 belleve, has ven. Confidence, a factor which on the part of their opponents. I still not fully recovered from a was so sadly lucking, has been re- should not be surprised to see the hard knock he received several stored, They have werks ago, and with a view to rest! Athletic

beaten the Athletic snatch a point. jing, he may stand down.

and the Cast Lanes (no

the 1 TO 18 performance

programme for it is hardy to be expected that of them), and I

elter Saturday: the Club, after showing what they personal observation, that they can know, from

FIRST DIVISION. lenst hold the senior regiment." really can do, will allow a repeti-play good enough football to at

R.A. v Lincolns-Military H. V. Eorderers v Club Snokunpoo Kowloon v Police-Kowloon Recreio v Navy-King's Park St. Joseph's v Athletic-Caroline Hi.

The Lincolna, Navy and Borderers have played an important part in the Improved type of football. They have taken the trouble to study the among the worst firms of bad sports- tion of their Athletic debacle, and Chinese methods which had hitherto Bummoxed them, and hara dix- covered, not only a preventive, but kn Batidote.

mansu.p.

1

TWELVE MONTHS AGO. Four of the fivo clubs which are

in a

the Borderers had better bo pra pared to meet the cilian team at their best.

mean

at.

Wisely they bave decidi in stick to a winning team, and those se-| now running neck and neck aur team changes, it should be pointed have again been selected.

cond string players, who have ao! Ref. my earlier paragraph about completely justified their Inclusion, Whilst it is indisputablò that even,

ural div.sion leadersnip were to-day, South China and the Athiodic similar position twelve months ago. out that Rodger will come in the get nearer to the true precepts of the su: now the Navy have come to take team for Lowson and will take his Pardoc. He has always be the So much of course. depends on techniquo cf football: that their skiltule place of the Royal Artillery. combination, highly developed artistry Toua twelve monita ago we found sticks. This should engender à strikes true form, hi concagues estomary position between the inspiration of the team and if he in bal

manipulation, and marked the Artery leading the rest of the feel.ng ia nuity

applying at least one league on December 19 with 14 points throughout the defence.

of greater eatablished set of tacties finds

confidence invariably respond. This sea on frum no matches. equal in the Colony: it has further then in the following cruer

Trailing behind The Club will be up against what but

the Interporter has been variable, to be recognised that these qualities Borderers, St. Joseph's, Lincoln and rest three team in the Colony. old skill, and once again his wing- I sincerely bel'eve to be one of the seems-to-have-recaptured all his the rerent moment. which have in former years made them-South China, all with eleven points, There is no call for me to reiterate men are benefitting from those de- almost invincible have fund answering type of play from the Ser-ut the Chinese holding a game i vices and other civilian teams this

an analysis of the Borderers out-lightful swinging passes which Acason which has contributed not a and the Lincuins lead,

To-day the Artillery are displaced, t, beyond stating that if they ve formed a feature of Par- little to the tremendous improvemen enLugh by three points, over St. the Club,

curiously play un to standard they will beat doo's play, of the game as an entertaining apuct-Joseph's, South China, Navy, Bordor- acle,

'The Linea'ns'e^rtainly cannot afford to take-matters easy.

At their best they can beat the Gun- sera: predking Palaw

100 met cent.ord they had better look out for gaualla.

มด

The

hand.

wuro

and

ur's. The Lincolan have earned 17 points from 10 gamaa, St. Joseph's 14 from nine tight, Navy, South China 18 from

12 frur eight Birderors 10 from oven.

The second half of the season Ra St. Joseph's callanse, due mainly to their visit to Manila. When they re- urned they could not produce any.

SIGNIFICANT RESULTS, Which largely becounts for the following significant results: lost heat the Chinese in the Guy ornor's Cup on October 10: the Navy defeated the Athletic 5-4 on October 22: On November 5 the Borderers forced South China to the cud goal, beftro defeat after a sparkling game: thing like their pre-Christmas form

The Cub beat South China on and faded cut of the picture.

November 26, and during the same week-end the Artillery won their first league points at the expanse of the Athletic.

Three weeks ago South China were held to a draw by the Navy after one of the best, gamen soen for many a long day, and the following week the Civillana beat the Chinese in the Lal Wah Cup, in a match which

WHA

WHAT OF THIS YEAR.

And I am wondering whether it is going to be Nosez, rogen, sl}, the way, for the Lincolns. Their comparative league record with the Royal Artillary wauld rur.) gest a very positive answer: but

The Navy should have no diffi-

SECOND DIVISION. Navy v S. Chinn-Caroline Hill Kowloon v Y. Intians-Kowloon Barde- v R A.-Military H. V. Lincolns v Club-Sonkunpoo

CHARITY CUP GAMES

ENGLAND FIELDING A. POWERFUL XI

SHOULD QUALIFY WITH CHINA FOR THE FINAL

(By "Voritas").

England's team to meet Wales in the semi- final of the International Charity Cup on Christmas Day has now been officially an nounced. It is a most formidable-looking com. bination, and on paper certainly appears good enough to withstand any sort of local opposition.

The team is ns follows: Combery (RAJ Allen (R.A.} S. Strange (Club) Purkins (Navy) Cork (Lincolns) C. Pile (Police) Hudspeth (Navy) Langmead (Navy) Howe (Club)

E. Strange (Club)- Bickford (Club)

The reserves are:---Gough (Police). Pardoe (B.A.), Fowler (Club), and Sauth (Navy).

This quality is obviously their chief weapin against such a team as Eng- land is putting into the field. Blan tor man they can give nothing to the Englishmen, but I believe they will enjoy that sight pull when it comes to co-ordinated and cohesive move

ment.

And If Podmore plays then I think they definite.y have a fifty-fifty chance reaching the final. Channing did not show up too well against Scot, land. His slowness was all out of une with the rapid mav_monts of hla countrymen. Certainly I do not think Channing will prvo sufficient to hold up the English inside trio, and bo cause of this, the hopes of the Walsh- more can take over this itay position. mon depend largely on whether Pod-

At the time of writing the Boxing Day match between Fortugal and China is smewhat clouded in mys-

This is a team of tremend us pos- aibilities. The forward line is chock 4u.l of goale, if the forward line olay as it anod. The half back line solid, even

Chris Pile seems to bo Homewhat out of position at left half. tory, as neither team has yet been But Pile is that type of footballer week

officially announced. Portugal a who can adapt himself to any position, from whom the final elaven will bo ago selected fifteen players and there ed not be mued reac, chosen. any weakness in this direction.

These players are:-R. Marquea

The defence is up to Interport (St. Joasph's), E., Marques (Recreio), standard. Comtey is one of the Gomes (St. Joseph's), Bilva safest "keepers" in the Colony, and Netto (Recrolo), A. V. Gesano (81 he has before him a pair of backs. Joseph's), S. Souza (St. Joseph's), who have already proved their N. Botrao

value.

(St. Joseph, Joseph's). F. Eims Marques (St. Joseph's), B. Gosano (St. Joseph's), A. Ward (St. Joseph'a), L. Rotha (St. Joseph'a). L. Fernandes (St. Joseph's) and E. Gonsalves (Recreio).

LIKELY FINE UP.

BEST POSSIBLE. So far as I can seo this is the best English team. possible. Although, Langmend is not used to an ina.do Lers, and may appeal to one as he- ing rather alow for such a position.. I have heard, unofficially, but I' I think his association with Hudspeth think it can be taken authoritatively, wil obvinto any shorte:ming of this that the following will finally be type, and we all know that Langp.oad, ae.cctu for bortugal: can core goals. There is no call for

R. Marques (St. Joseph'a) comment on the left wing. It can da

R Sen-Netto (Recreio) great things.

J. Gemes (St Joh

So far as I know there is not likely to be any changes in the Welsh eleven last week. which so thoroughly defeated Scotland

The only possibility is that Podmore will come in. for Chonning at centre- half, h which case England will be up against a full first division Ber derers team-' factor nct to be too

THIRD DIVISION, Recreio v Forders-Kine's Park Pio RAM.C-Athletic REY RAF St. Joseph'lightly regarded.

incolns v S. China-Chatham

R

SUNDAY.

FIRST DIVISION, Fast Lanes v S. China-Sookun-|

poo

As one who has the greatest ad- miration for the prowess of the Borderers and ru'te a deep fath in their potentialities I shall expect them to put up a fine show against England.

CHRISTMAS DAY. INTERNATIONAL CHARITY CUP.

THEIR CHIEF QUALITY.

England Wa'e-Club

More and more this season have they become imbued with the essen- BOXING DAY. INTERNATIONAL CHARITY CUP. of the game they run but a ahert way tials of team work, and in this phase Portugal Chinn-Club

behind South China and the Athletic

V. Marques (St. Joseph's) N. Beltran (St. Josep.is) F. Ema (St. Joseph's)

B. Grand (St. Joseph's)

A. Ward (BL. Joseph's)

A. Y. Gosano (St. Joseph's)

J. Rohi 18t, Joseph's)

LA Fernandes (St. Joseph's)

C

The only really doubtful-position is tsid left. Fernandos ip still suffering from the effects of a #evere ankle Injury, and if he is un- (Continued on Page 9.)

SERVICES AND OTHER SPORT WILL BE FOUND ON PAGE 9

RESULTS OF THE SEASON'S LEAGUE MATCHES

Club

Kowloon Jorderers

Athletic

1. China

Nov. 18-19

2

Club

6 R. Artillery

2 Recreio

1 Police

2 Fant Lanes

FIRST DIVISION.

Sept. 30-Oct. 1

4 R. Artillery

41

Lincolas

Police Athletic

't. Joseph's

+

Lincolns

Oct. 7-8

I Navy

1

2 8. China GOVERNOR'S CUP.

Oct. 16

4 Chinese

Oct. 14

Navy Kewlon Recreio

Nov. 25-26

€

? Navy

6. Kowloon

lica

Teerelo 3. Chinn 3. Artillery

What is likely to happen this year? Well, nitkough I still think Beuth, China are capable of winaing the championship, my tip, in the normal course of events would be Kowloon the Navy.

Unfortunately.a "normal Recreio course of events"

is rather unlikely, S. Chinn The Navy are duo for a Southern generally recognised by the critics as cruise in February, and this will one of the most spectacular ever Boon

probably rut paid to all champion-Club- in Hongkong. And to cemo a little

shin hopes. On this factor only IRA nearer to current results, the Lincolns count them out. last week gave South China

- {St. Joseph's their second reverse of the senson.

Lincolns This leaves St. Joseph's, Borderers Although the results in themselves and Lincolns, Personally, with ut are Interesting, the rust significant wishing to rob them of any credit for feature in that in all caros quoted, and their present record, I have not been others to which I have made no refer-able to regard St. Joseph's this enco, the type of football served up has been far and away better than the average game of Inut season, for that matter the inst five years.

UNFORTUNATE EFFECT, This has served Intenally the keen struggle for the championship, and unfortunately this, in turn, has had rather 1 oeets Tempers bave been worked up to breaking point in something like ■ dozen

year

championship-winning team. Rest Admittedly they have a nicely bal delightful type of football: further- Club anced combination who play quite a nore they can point to victorien over Police the Lincolns. and Navy. But I feel Joubtful about their abilities to with Borderers.

Navy stand another defent from South China and the Borderers.

The Borderers have been pursuing a Ing rather quiet path, but their record is Lincol

matches, and we have seen an un- which I have acon, oven incro so. Only St. Joseph's zen impressive, and their performances. Artillery asually large number games spelit

by these tempers getting out ante have they given a por display, Alkietle

of

and

this their first, match of the season. Their excellent showing

of hand, and free Oghts indulged in. scase Such incidents have pr.mpted the against South China, their fighting Kowloon suggestion that keenly competitive victory over the Artillery, and their Yavy, football, engendered firstly by the subsequent successes all convince mercio enthusiasm of the players and their that the Borderera are even supporters, and magnifled by the potential winners this year than last.

more clu general levelling up of the standard:

9. China The Linetin hava me of play among the clubs, constitutos victories to thair credit, viz the. brilliant a menace to the real purpose of the Borderers and South China, but figuros game.

also suggest instability. In conalder. R. Artillery

Revlonn

ellee

Whatever one's views in this direc-ing their prospects week by week one tion, one fact remains patently obvi- feels impelled to qualify any doute ous: airing action rast be taken by statement: this, in Itaolf, is suficient Horderors the authorities to suppress the exist-Lo justify doubts as to the probability Ing diaplays of ill-controlled tompers, them boine In their resent pont- which. In their very pottiness, aro, tion at the end of the season.

7 Recreio

3

Athletic

1 Ft. Joseph's

0 Lincolna

Oct. 21-22

3 Club

1 Police

1 Kowloon

4 Navy

Oct. 28-29

3. Athlete

2 R. Artillery

0 Rorderers 8 Polier

2 St. Joseph's

Nov. 4-

2 St. Joseph's

1 Navy

3 I'verclo

2 d. China

11220

ncplay

Recrcia Borderera Pollées. St. Joseph's Nhry Athletla

LAI, WAH

"Jv!Hans Navy

'S. China

Club

Lincolns 8. China Police

Artillery

0 Borderers

1 St Joseph's

D.Enat Lanch

Club Athletic

Dec. 23

1 R. Artillery 3 Kowloon 0 Lincolns Club

...

2. S. China.

East Lanes.

CUP SEMI FINAL.

Doc., 9

7 Chincar 4 Army

Charity Kintch

+2 Services Dec. 16-17

2 Athlotle

5 'Itecrclo

A Kowloon

2 St. Joseph's

3. East Lance -

"SUNDAY HERALD" CHARITY

Nov, 11

Servlees

3 The Real

2. Walca

Cup.

$ Ecotland

Club

Kowloon

SECOND DIVISION,

Sept. 30

9. China'

Athletic

1 Athiefle # Artillery

4 Lincolns

Oct. 7--8

5 Y. Indiana 3. Kowloon

1 Borderers

1

Club

2 Linecip

B

Oct. 14

4

Navy

Kowloon Lincolns Borderers

05. China

2 Y. Indians

1 Club... 7. Artillery 5 Athlelle

Oct. 21

1 Navy 1 Kawlzen

Borderers Lincolns

0 Y. Indiana 1R. Artillery

Club

3

22

OcL 28

0

Navy Kowlon Borderera

Lincolns Y. Indiana R. Artillery 3. China

Club

4

Borderers › Y. Indians Athletle

Navy

9. Chios

2. Artillery O Kowloon

R. Artillery

8. China

4 Club NOY, 4

Navy Borderers 4 Athletic Club

Nov, 11-12

0 Navy 4. Kowloon 8. China 3 Lincoln Nov. 13

7 Athletio 2 Bonderos

Y. Indians Linccins

Navy Linculus 4. Artillery

Athletic

Athletic

1 R. Artillery LinerIns

8 Navy.

S. China

0 Borderern

Y. Indians. Club Athletic

08. China 3 Recreio :

Nov. 25-26

11 Kowloon

2 Y. Indians 0 Club 0 8, China

Dec. 2.

1 Club 2 Kowloon 4. 9. China 1 Borderers'

Dec. 0

2 R. Artillery Charity Match

i S. China

Dec. 16

O Navy 0 Kowloon

Borderers

THIRD DIVISION.

2.Culveralty

Borderers

4R.A.F. 1R. Engineers

Lincolns

R.A.M.C.

·

és. Chine Radio 27 cerclo

.A.F. Jniversity

2 Linceins 4, University

Sept. 30

2 R. Engineers

Liticotna

1 R.A.M.C.

3 R.A.F.

Oct. 7

05. China

4 Recreio

4 Radio

0 Borderers

Oct. 14

2 L Engineers

1 Lincons

& RAM.C.

O ILA.B.C.

1 Borderers.

Oct. 21.

# R.A.M.C.

• R.A.F.

Radio Borderers

$, China University R.A.M.C. R.A.S.C.

3. China Borderers 'Incolns Recreio 03.A.S.C.

Radio R.A.F. 2. Engineers

R.A.H.C.

Lincetas

R.A.M.C.

Recreio

10

2 R.A.B.C. R.A.F.

S. China Borderers RA.F.

2 R. Er-intera

incing

GR.A.B.C.

R.A.F,

Radio "ecro'o Borderers

1 S. China 4 Recreio

Oct, 28

3. Borderera 0 Line Ins

1. Radi 0 Recrolo

Nov. 4.

2 Univeralty 7 Pari

2 R. Engineers 1 R.A.F.

1. R.A.M.C.

Nov. 11

3 Recreto

i reclus

4 University Nov. 18

0. S. China

6. grderers

1 Radio

Nov. 25

0 S. China 0 Lincolns

R.A.M.C.

Dec. 2

O ILA.M.C.. 3.P. Engineers 4 Radio

*Dec. 0

5. China 7 (C+0:0

Radio Borderern

Dee, 10

◊ Lincolns 4 R Foors R.A.M.C.