1933-12-21 — Page 26

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, DECEMBER

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 reached its halfway stage-near. enough 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 Chief among noticeable twelve months ago. 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.

Ono Instantly thinks of the Club, the Athletic and the Navy. The exception is the Royal Aftillery. They have been the victims' of one of those re-i actionary déclings which are all too common in competitive sports. One you up in the clouis; the next den- perately striving week after week to ratus themselves from the lower rungs of the league. tabla.

It is just a case of good players boing lost, their substitutės, lacking oxperience, and, team work consequent- ly disorganlade Unhappily, per- manently stationed units such as the Royal Artillery.are more victimised by suca circumstances owing to their Boning pardoned.

CAUSE OF CUNNERS' FAILURE.

Yet oves thd Artillery have main- tained a fairly gh standard this year, and their present league record in n distinct muut, to their worthiness. It has not beer so anuch their In-1 feriority aki tepm which lina caused them to Joko lijmajority of matches, a. the absence it first cluns n'avors.

In dne or two fidy ponitions.

The Lincolas, Navy and Borderers have played; an Important part in

the improved type of football. They

{

CHINA'S TEAM.

TWO ATHletic PLAYERS INCLUDED.

been

Ching's team for Boxing Day was announced this morning. It includes Ho Choi-yin and Fung King-mu of the Athletic, whilst Wong Mee-shun has also provisionally selected, although it (a doubtful whether he will be able to play. If Wong cannot appear, Tay Qua-long will come in at inside left and Tam Kong. pak will transfer to inside right. The selected team in:

Wong Wing (9.C.); Leung In- chan and Li Tin-sang (9.C); Yeung Shul-ylck, Wong Mee-ebun, Fung King-cheung, Tam Kong Pak (S.C) and Fung King-mu (C.A.). Reserves include Ho Ka- keung and Au Kim-fung (C.A.).

TEST FOR BORDERERS

MY FORECAST.

MAY FIND

FIRST DIVISION.-

TO WIN

CLUB

HINDRANCE

TO

LEAGUE

PROSPECTS

MUST BE AT

BEST

TO WIN

Borderers 'Polica

Navy: S. China

TO DRAW-m

Athletic Lincolns

SECOND DIVISION.

TO WIN

S. China

Y. Indians

Borderers Lincolns.

THIRD DIVISION.

Iro WINI-i

Borderers R.A.F. Lincolns

TO DRAW±---

Radio

CHARITY CUP.

TO WINI~~

England China

GUNNERS

OUT

TO UPSET

THE T

LEAGUE

LEADERS

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 match 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.

In spite of last week's. Inpse, with | special reference to Fowler's dis appointing loss of form, it is not likely that the Club will attempt to mako team changes unless forced

have takeh the trouble to study the among the worst forms of bad sports-tion of their Athletic debacle, and least hold the senior regiment.

noship.

the

programme for

FIRST DIVISION, R.A. v Lincolnis–Military H. V. Borderers v Club Bookunpoo Kowloon v Police--Kowloon Reerelo v Navy-King's Park St. Joseph's v Athletic-Caroline mill.

then figures are inveterate liars, ¡culty in keeping up with the lead- and I think it is more important ers, but St. Joseph's can't expect to to take into consideration the have things all their own way current form of the Artillery,

against the Athletic. The Chinese Their last two outings show are improving every week, and are to by other circumstances, such as them to have struck a winning quick to seize upon any weakening injuries. Fowler, I bellove, has, vein. Confidence, a factor which on the part of their opponents. I still not fully recovered from a was so sadly lacking, has bean re- lshould not be surprised to see the hard knock he received several stored. They have beaten the Athletic snatch a point. weeks ago, and with a view to rest Athletle and the East

Lancs

Here is ing, he may stand down.

(no mзan performance elther Saturday: It is hardly to be expected that of them), nad I know, 'from the Club, after showing what they personal observation, that they can really can do, will allow a repeti play good enough football to at the Borderers had better be pre- Wisely they have decided to stick Chinese methods which had hitherto fummoxed them, and have dis-

pared to meet the clilian team at to a winning team, and those se- their best. covered, not only a preventive, but

|cond_string_players, who have so antidote.

Rof. my earlier paragraph about completely justified their inclusion, now running neck and neck or the team changes, it should be pointed have again been selected. Whilst

it ik

indisputable that even first division leadership were. in n to-day, South China and the Athletic similar position twelve months ago. out that Rodger will come in the So much, of course, depends on golinearer to the true precepts of the But now the Navy have come to take team for Lowson and will take his Pardoe. He has always been the technique of football: that their skilful the place of the Royal Artillery, customary position between the inspiration of the team and if he conbination, highly developed artistry

Thus twelve months ago we found sticks. This should engender a strikes true form, his colleagues in ball manipulation, and marked the Artillery leading the rest of the feeling of greater confidence invariably respond. This sea1on ability in applying AL-least one lengua on December 19 with 14 points throughout the defence.

the Lot of

Interporter of tactica finds established i

has been variable, no from ning matchen. Trailing behind j The Club will be up ngalast what but at the present moment equal in the Clony: it has further them in the following order

were I sincerely belleve to be one of the seems to have recaptured all his to be recognised that these qualities Borderers, St. Joseph'n, Lincolns and best three teams in the Colony. old skill, and once again his wing- which have in former years made the South China, all with eleven points. There is no call for me to reiterate men are benefitting from those de- almost invincible have found an but the Chinese holding a game in answering type of play from the Ser-land.

an analysis of the Borderers out-lightful swinging pasaes which vices and other civilian teams this To-dny the Arillery are displaced,t, beyond stating that if they last year formed a feature of Par- season which has contributed not a and the Linculns lend, curiously play up to standard they will beat [doo's_play. little to the tremendous Improvement enough by three points, over St. the Club.

TWELVE MONTHS AGO. Four of the five clubs which are

of the game as an entertaining spect-Joseph's, South China, Navy, Border-

acle,

ers. The Lincolns have earned 17 points from 10 games, St. Joseph's 14 from nine games, South China 19 from The eight, Nary, 12 from eight and

Borderers 10 from seven.

The second half of the season saw

SIGNIFICANT RESULTS, Which largely accounts for the following significant results; Rest beat the Chinese in the Gov- ernor's Cup on October 10: the Navy St. Joseph's collapse, due mainly Lo dofdated the Athistle on October their visit to Manila. When they re-

On November & the Borderers forged South China to the odd gon! ingke their pre-Christy

defeat after a sparkling game: thing like their pre-Christmas The Club best South China on and faded out of the picture.

2213

November 25, and during tho samo week-end the Artillery won their first Icague points at the expense of the Athletic.

Three weeks ago South China were hold to a draw by the Navy after one of the best ganies acen för many a long day, and the following week the Civillans beat the Chinese in the Lai Wah Cup, in a match which was generally recogained by the critles na one of the most spectacular ever scon In Hongkong. And to come a little noarer to current results, the Lincolns 'last week gave South China *Becond reversa of the nearon,

their

་་

form

I

And I am wondering whether. it is going to be Roses, roses, nil the way, for the Lincolns. Their comparative league record with the Royal Artillery would rug- gest ʼn very positive answer: but

The Lincolns certainly cannot afford to take matters easy. At their test they can beat the Gun- ners: Anything below 100 ner cent, and they had better look out

for squalla.

The Navy should have no dif-

SECOND DIVISION. Navy v S. China-Caroline Hill Kowloon v Y. Indians-Kowloon Borders v R.A-Military H. V. Lincolna v Club Sookunpoo

THIRD DIVISION. Recreio-v-Borders-King's Park Radio v R.A.M.C.-Athletic R.E. R.A.F-St. Joseph's Lincolns v S. China-Chatham

Rd

SUNDAY.

FIRST DIVISION, East Lanca v S. China--Sookun- poo

CHRISTMAS DAY. INTERNATIONAL CHARITY CUP.

England Wales-Club

BOXING DAY.

CHARITY CUP GAMES

ENGLAND FIELDING A POWERFUL XI

SHOULD QUALIFY WITH CHÍNA FOR THE FINAL

(By "Yaritas").

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 as follows:

Combery (R.A.J 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 (RA), Fowler (Club) and Smith (Navy).

This quality is obviously thoir chief

| weapon against such a team as Eng- land in putting into the field. Mon for man they can give nothing to the Englishmen, but I bellove they will enjoy that slight pull when it com.ca. to co-ordinated and cohesive move- ment.

And If Podmora plays then I think they definitely have a fifty-fifty chance of teaching the final. Channing did not show up too well against Scot land. His slowness was all out of tune with the rapid movements of his Countrymen. Certainly I do not think up the English inside trio, and be- Channing will

prove sufficient to hold cause of this the hopes of the Welsh- This is a team of tremendous pos- men depend largely on whether Pod- sibilities. The forward line is chock more can take over this key position. At the time of writing the Doxing full of goals, if the forward line plays Day match between Portugal and as it should. The half back lino solid, even if Chris Pile seems to be China is scmewhat clouded in mya- somewhat out of position at left half tery, na nefther team has yet beon. Portugal a But Pile is that type of footballer officially announced.

weck ago kolected fifteen players who can adapt himself to any position, front whom the final eleven will be and there need not be much fear of any weakness in this direction.

chosen.

Theso players are:-R/ Marques

The defence is up to Interport (St. Joseph's), E. Marques (Recreio), standard, Combey is one of the L. Gomes (St. Joseph's), I. Bilya- safest keepers" in the Colony, and Netto (Recrelo), A. V. Gioano (St, ho has before film a pair of backs Joseph's). S. Souza (St. Joseph's), who have already proved their N. Beltras (St. Joseph's), F. Elms value.

(St. Joseph's). V. Marques (St. Joseph's), H. Gosano (St. Joseph's), A. Ward (St. Joseph's), I Rocha (S1, Jonoph's), L. Fernandes (St. Joseph's) and E. Gonsalves (Recrolo)."

'BEST POSSIBLE.

So far as I can soo this is the best

team English Langmead is not used to

possible. Although]

др Inside berth, and may appeal to one as be- ing rather alow for such a position,

LIKELY FINE UP.

I have heard, unofficially, but I

I think his association with Hudspeth think it can be taken authoritatively, will obviate any shortecming of this, that the following will finally be type, and we all know that Lungmead solected for Portugal: can score goals. There is no call for comment on the left wing. It can do! great things.

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

The only possibility is that Podmoro will come in for Channing at centro half, in which case England will be up against a full first division Bor- derera team--a factor ̃not to be too lightly regarded.

R. Marques (St. Joseph's)

R. Silva-Netto (Recreio)

J. Gomes (St. Joseph'a)

V. Marques (St. Joseph's) N. Beltrae (St. Joseph's)

F. Elma (St.. Joseph's)

B. Grzano (81, Joseph') A. Ward (St. Joseph's) A. V. Gosano (St. Joseph's)

L. Rocha (St. Joseph's)

L. Fernandes (St. Joseph's) ·

1.

The only really doubítul position la that of outside. left. Fernandes

suffering from the effects of a severa ankle injury, and if he is un (Continued on Page 11.)

An one who has the greatest ad-till

miration for the prowean of the Borderers and quite deep faith their potentialities I shall expect them to put up a fine show agalan! England.

THEIR CHIEF QUALITY.

More and more this season have they becomo Imbued with the essen- tials of team work, and in this phase INTERNATIONAL CHARITY CUP, of the game they run but a short way

Portugal v China---Club

behind South China and the Athletic.

SERVICES AND OTHER SPORT WILL BE FOUND

ON PAGE 11

RESULTS OF THE SEASON'S LEAGUE MATCHES

FIRST DIVISION.

Sept. 30-Oct, 1

WHAT OF THIS YEAR. What is kely to happen this year? Well, although I still think Stuth China are capable of winning the championship, my tip, in the Club normal course of events would be Kowloon the Navy. Unfortunately a "normal Recreio course of events" is rather unilkely. S. Chinn The Navy are due for a Southern cruise in February, and this wi}} probably put paid to all champion-Club khip hones. Ỏn this factor only 1 ñ‚A. count them.out.

(St. Joseph's

Lincolns-

This leaves St. Joseph's. Borderera Fermonally, without and Lincolns.

sa championship-winning team. Roxi Admittedly they have a nicely hal-

inced combination who play quite a

Although the results in themselves wishing to rab them of any credit for are interesting the most significant their present record, I have not been feature is that in all casou quoted, and athers to which I have made no refer-lo to regard St. Joseph's this year enee, the type of football served up has been far and away better than the average game of Inst senson, for that matter the last five years,

UNFORTUNATE EFFECT, This has served to intensify the keen struggle for the championship, and unfortunately this, in turn, has

4. Artillery 0 Lincolna

1 Police

4

Athletle

Oct. 7-8

Kowloon llorderers Athletic 9. China

St. Joseph's Lincolns

Nov. 18-19

SECOND DIVISION.

Sept. 30

1 - Athletic

• R. Artillery

4 Lincotas

5 Y. Indians'

Kowloon

z Club

2

5 R. Artillery

2

| Club.

2 Recreio

Kowloon

1 Police

08. China

2 East Lancs.

2

#

1 Navy

Oct. 7-8

1

Nov. 25-26

Club

Athletic

$

1 Kowloon

✔ Kowloon

2

Lincolns

1

Borderers

4 Recreio

→ Borderern

5

Oct. 14

2 S. China GOVERNOR'S CUP.

1 St. Joseph's

4

Nary

2

Oct. 10

5. Chiza R. Artillery

2 Club

Chinese

delightful type of football: further Club mors they can point to victorien over Police the Lincolns and Navy. But I foel Navy doubtful about their abilities to with Herderers stand another defeat from South China and the Borderera,

ᄆ

had rather ill offects. Tempera The Bordérers have been pursuing Lincolen

have been worked up to breaking rather quiet path, but their record is point in something like a dozen impressive, and their performances B. Artillery matches, and we have seen, an un- which I have seen, even more so. Only St. Joseph's uhually large number of games once have they given a pocr display, apolli by these tampers getting out and this their first match of tho

Indulged season.

excellent

Athletle

hand, free, of the dudents 06 ampled thugainst South China, their fighting Kowloon auggestion that keenly competitive victory over the Artillery, and their Navy football, engendered firstly "by the subuequent succosses all convince me | Recreio enthusiasm of the players and their that the Borderers are even more Clus supporters, and magnified by the potential winners this year than last. S. Chisa general levelling up of the standard The Lincolna have smo brilliant of play among the clubs, constitutes victories to their credit, viz the a monaco to the real purpose

of the Bordorore

rore and South China, but figures game.

also suggest instability. In considor. Artillery

Kowloon Whatever one's views in this direc-ing their prospects week by week one

Polico tion, and fact remains patently obvi- fools impelled to qualify any definite Dus: strong netion nsust be taken by atatement: this, in itself, is suffieiont Herderors the authorities to suppress the exist to justify doubts us to the probability Ing: displays of ill-controlled tempers, them belar in their present posi- which, in thale vorý pattinona, ardi tion at the end of the season.

Servicen

4 Navy

Get. 14

7 Recreio

Athletle 'St. Joseph's

Lincolns

Navy Police Lintoine Recreio

Recrclo Borderers Police

St. Joseph's

Navy Athletia

East Lanes.

3 Athletle

Dec. 2-3

1 R. Artillery

3 Kowloon ··

LAI WAH CUP SEMIFINAL,

Kowloon 3 Lincolns

o Norderers

B. China

o Y. Indians

R. Artillery Clab

Y. Indians

1 Club

7 R. Artillery

5 Athletic

Oct. 21

A

Navy

4 Kowloon

3. BordererA 2. Lincoln

Oct. 28

1 R. Artillery 0 S. China 4 Club

o Lincolns

5. Club

2 5. China:

East Lane,

Clab

Police

Navy Kowloon Dorderors

+

1 Kowloon

Dec. 9

4 NAYF

Noy, 4

Oct. 28-29

Civilians Navy

3 Athletic

2 I. Arillery

7 Chinese 'Army Charity Match

2 Services

5

0. Borderers

3 Police

3 St. Joseph's

Nov. 4-5

14.8t Íseph's

1 Navy

* BuRecscio

2.H. China Nor. 11

Js. China

Club Lincolns 8. China Police

1. Artillery

Doc. 10---17

9. Athletic 5. Recrelo

1 Kowloon

28t. Joseph's

3 East Lancs.

"SUNDAY HERALD". CHARITY

The Next

Walon

CUP.

Scotland

Lincclas Y, Indians R. Artillery 8. China

cfib Borderers apy. Indiana Athletic

Navy

8, China 12. Artillery Kowloon

0 Navy 1 Borderern

Athletic

6 Club

Nov. 11-12-

D Navy

4 Kowinan 1. B. China 3 Lincolns

Nov, 13

Athletio Borderers Y. Indians Lincolns.

Navy Lincolns

Nov. 25———-26

2 Y. Indians

it Kowloon

-

4 R. Artillery

0 Clab

Athletic

Athletle

1 R. Artillery

1 Lincolns

B Navy

4 S. Chins

0 Borderers

Y. Indians 2 Club,

Athletic

0 8. Chins

Dec. Z -

1 Club,

22 Kowloon

4 S. China

1 Borderera

Dec. 9

2 R. Artillery

Charity

Blatch

8. China

Dec. 16

0 Navy

0 Howloon

0 Borderers

THIRD DIVISION.

"Sept. 30.

05. China 3 Recrclo 2 University

Borderers

R.A.F.

R. Engineers Lincolns R.A.M.C.

08. China

Radio

Recreio

·R.A.F. University

Lincolas University

Radio Borderers

3. China University R.A.M.C. R.A.S.C.

S. China

Borderers Lincolns Recreio R.A.S.C.

Itadló R.A.F.

R. Engineers

R.A.S:C. Lincolns I.A.M.C.

2 R. Engineers

"0 Lincolns

*Recreio R.A.8.C.

1 R.A.M.C. *3 R.A.F.

Oct. 7

08. China 4 Recreio

Radio

0 Borderers:

Oct. 14

2.R. Engineera

IL.A.F.

S. China

Borderers F.AMF.

1 Lincolna

R EngineerA

6. A.M.C.

0 R.A.8.C.

Lincolns R.AS.C. R.A.F.

1 Borderera

Oct. 21

3-R.A.M.C. R.A.F.

Radlo Mecreto

Borderern

5. Chinn 4. Recrelo

Oct. 29

a. Borderers 0 Lincolns

1 Radlo

ō Recreio

Nov. 4

2- University

Radio

2. R. Engineers,

R.A.F.

1 R.A.M.C.

Nov. 11

3 Recrelo

ILincolns 4 University

Nov. 18

08. Chlin 5 Borderers 1. Radlo

Nov, 25

0.8, China 0 Lincolns OR.A.M.C.

Doc. -2

0 R.A.M.C. 9 R. Engiavers +4-Radio

Dec. 'Di

18. Chica 7 Heerela

1 Radio

Borderers

Dec. 16

⚫ Lincoles 4 R.: Ennects

R.A.B.C