The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Page 29

28 The Sydney Morning Herald Friday, December 27, 1991 Sport what about the rest? but So our youngsters did us proud clubs chasing his signature but ended up staying in Australia with Sydney Olympic; and flying' winger Robbie Slater, who has been enjoying perhaps the best form of his career in the French first division with Lens. Off the park there were the predictable controversies, headed' by the tame ASF response to the Bradley Report. As a result the question which must be asked is whether the game is really in better shape now than it was in Perhaps it is, but only Those who run Australian soccer at least seem prepared to start on the long road towards regaining some credibility. Don't hold your breath, however. It may be that some time in the future we can look back on 1991 as a turning point, but we shall have to wait and see.

had shifted from Sydney. And the way Adelaide City are playing in the current NSL campaign suggests this will remain the case in the foreseeable future. Chief among the players who deserve special mention for their performance in -1991 was Paul Wade, who was surprisingly handed the captaincy of the Socceroos ahead of veteran Alan Davidson. Wade rose to the occasion by performing consistently for Australia on the park, and becoming a fine ambassador for his country off the field. Other players who had reason to remember the past year were Socceroo striker Frank Farina, who discovered the pitfalls of life in the Italian first division but emerged with his reputation unscathed; young sweeper Ned Zelic, who had a posse of overseas development of his team with more satisfying results.

Elsewhere on the international stage, the results were more heartening. The under-17 team confirmed the pedigree of Australian youngsters with a quarter-final berth at the world championships in Italy, while the Olympic (under-23) team showed marked progress during the drawn-out qualifying program in Oceania. The "Olyroos" will now play off next March for a place at the Barcelona Games, and have a fair chance of getting through. On the domestic front, South Melbourne were the team of the year, winning the NSL title in a dramatic penalty shoot-out last May. The appearance of Souths and Melbourne Croatia in the grand final showed the balance of power mention the team in the voting guidelines for annual awards it presented to journalists this week.

When you consider the ABC nominations included the Australian ice-racing team, the women's youth basketball team and the white-water rafting team, the omission of the Young Socceroos is surely inexplicable. For those with a more balanced eye, the national youth soccer team managed one of the more memorable sporting achievements of 1991. Unfortunately, the other on-field highlights for Australian soccer in a year which was dominated by boardroom manoeuvring (isn't it always the case?) were few and far between. The Socceroos, once again, were kept in mothballs managing just nine games (six of them full internationals) in 1991. Under the fantastic achievement by our band of part-timers, some of whom have since gone on to earn professional contracts in Europe.

Players such as Paul Okon, Mark Bosnich, Lorenz Kindtner and David Seal will be making news for years to come. Right now, however, it would be nice if there was some more tangible recognition of their deeds. The Australian Soccer Federation, which always struggles with such matters, could start the ball rolling by striking medals in the players' honour. And it would have been nice if government-funded organisations such as the ABC and Confederation of Sport could at least have seen fit to nominate the team in their annual awards. It seems incredible that the ABC, which was covering Australian soccer at the time, neglected even to MICHAEL COCKERILL When the Young Socceroos met the host nation in the semi-final at Lisbon's Estadio de Luz, 112,000 fans packed into the cavernous triple-decked stadium.

Australia were beaten but far from disgraced in the intimidating atmosphere, and recovered sufficiently to share a bronze medal two days later with the highly rated USSR. It was a xui display the rastrate i The story of the year in Australian soccer was told in the midsummer heat of Portugal, where the Young Socceroos achieved the best-ever performance by any of our national teams in the world sport. The tragedy of those magnificent exploits, however, is that they have yet to be duly recognised either inside or outside the game. For let it be noted if there are any lingering doubts that the achievements of the national under-20 side in the world youth championships were truly significant. Statistics support this argument he Portuguese tournament was watched by 730,000 spectators, televised in 77 countries, and initially attracted 118 entries.

How many other national sporting teams, including the World Cup-winning Wallabies, had that kind of competition to deal with? Many fans must have been wondering why they had tucked the Christmas turkey away only to settle for the insipid fare offered by Apia-Leichhardt and Sydney Olympic in a lamentable national league match at Leichhardt Oval last night. On the evidence provided by the 0-0 draw between the two old rivals, the NSL may as well go back to the drawingboard in the experiment of playing a full round of fixtures on Boxing Day. Woeful, inept, deplorable, these were some of the more sanitised descriptions of a game which never kicked into life. The 5,000 or so supporters who made the effort to provide the backdrop had a lot more colourful adjectives to offer, and it was no surprise they jeered both sets of players after 90 minutes of excruciating boredom. This game marked Apia's fifth scoreless draw of the season, and after 13 games the Bulls have scored just five goals from open play.

Even Apia coach Manfred Schaefer could hardly argue that his side is committed to open, attacking play. The home team again concentrated on a tight, pressing game based around man-to-man marking and the occasional counter-attack. The real surprise was that Sydney Olympic could find no way through the human wall, and therefore were equally to blame for the charade. Apart from a brief flurry of activity 10 minutes before half-time, when the visitors created two decent chances and Apia were nearly gifted a goal by Gary Phillips, there was no goalmouth action worth reporting. Sydney Olympic's talented stri-keforce of Abbas Saad and Tim Bredbury occasionally burst into life, but the rugged tackling of Peter Bennett, Darren Stewart and leaves 5 Srl' contractual agreement with the previous Quit, the Socceroos would have needed to play at least 12 games, so it was just as well for the ASF that the federation changed sponsors mid-stream.

Tight finance was the reason trotted out by Rockdale for the hiatus, but given that the public, the sponsors and the media are all clamouring to see the Socceroos in action, that excuse holds no water. When the senior national team did get on to the park, it proved to be a year of transition. National coach Eddie Thomson goes into 1992 with what can only be described as an average record (six losses in eight A internationals), but judgment needs to be reserved. The Socceroo performance against England last June was encouraging enough, and Thomson now needs to combine the allon GOLD COAST: The Australian Women's Masters provides world champion Meg Mallon with an excellent opportunity to end the year the way she started it as a winner. Mallon is one of six US players who gave up Christmas at home to compete in the $500,000 tournament starting at Palm Meadows today the richest Australian women's golfing event.

She has had a dream year, breaking through with her first tournament win at the Oldsmobile Classic in Florida in February. Mallon later won consecutive majors, the LPGA Championship in Maryland and the US Open in Texas, before taking out the women's world championship in Cairns in October. The 28-year-old, who has battled jet lag, stomach complaints and sunburn since arriving on Monday from Phoenix, Arizona, predicted it would take a score of about 12-under par to win the Gold Coast event. SPORT BRIEFS CRICKET KARACHI, Thursday: Pakistan skipper Imran Khan yesterday described the decision to abandon his team's rain-marred second Test against Sri Lanka as a disaster. After a final examination of the soggy outfield at Gujranwala, umpires Khizer Hayat and Ather Zaidi declared conditions unsuitable and called off the Test.

"It was disaster for the team," Imran said. "We needed practice and wanted long innings." RUGBY SUVA, Thursday: Japan's team in April's Hong Kong sevens tournament could include two Fijians. Former internationals Paulo Nawalu and Sirilo Lovokuro have been living and playing in Japan for the past nine months on three-year contracts with the Hino club. Although by April they will be just short of the one-year residential qualification period, officials have indicated this may be waived. TENNIS ADELAIDE: Former US Open semi-finalist Darren Cahill has withdrawn from next week's South Australian Open because of continuing knee problems.

Cahill, 26, hoped to begin his comeback in his home town, but was not satisfied with his fitness after knee surgery in Cahill has had a miserable year." After starting with some encouraging performances in the US in March, including wins against John McEnroe and Brad Gilbert, he first underwent knee surgery in April. CRICKET LONDON, Thursday: England leave for their New Zealand and World Cup campaign tomorrow on what seems certain to be captain Graham Gooch's final overseas tour. Gooch, 39, will not be available for England's tour to India next year. He heads into the NZ tour as the only recognised opening batsman after the injury-forced withdrawal of Mike Atherton. He also has a novice vice-captain in Alec Stewart.

Lowien, often touted as Stephenson's heir-apparent, has become a golfing champion on the Japanese circuit The 22-year-old from Kings-cliff, northern NSW, won the S300.000 Daikyo Challenge in Cairns last year, but could not match that result in the inaugural Australian Women's Masters, finishing in 33rd place with an eight-over-par 227. The Palm Meadows layout has been modified for this year's tournament with the tricky first hole lengthened 13m and changed to a par five. Mallon will partner Dibnah and leading Japanese player Ayako Okamoto in today's first round. The tournament has attracted 75 players, including defending champion Jane Geddes of the US. Geddes won the inaugural Masters last year in a tense play-off on the 18th hole from countrywoman Kristal Parker, who will partner her again today.

or five-tournament $1.7 million circuit in 1993, including Sydney and Melbourne. The contrast, according to Herden, is that "the men have 22 tournaments and about $6 million in prize money with about 300 active Johnson agreed. "There's a lack of depth with only 60 women pros," he said. "What we need is these big tournaments, then a string of eight to 10 $100,000 tournaments to give the women a living without going overseas." Women's golf is a sleeper struggling to escape the shackles. It needs and wants sponsors, media coverage, supporters and money.

They're coming, tut a superstar would hasten their arrival. And this might finally raise the veil of ignorance covering the sport. Flying high Sydney Olympic midfielder Gary Phillips hurdles the outstretched Gibson at Leichhardt Oval last night. Oval puzzling that Mick Hickman declined to introduce Peter Kath-olos until 10 minutes from the end, a decision not lost on the Olympic supporters who booed the coach as he left the field. "I don't know what we've got to do to keep them happy," he said.

"I've got nine out of the last 10 points, and I cop all that sort of stick from the supporters. When you play a team who put 1 1 men behind the ball, it's not easy to prise them open. "I thought we were the better side, and with a bit of luck we might have got a goal. Away from home against a side like that, I'll take a point if I have to." Hickman was not helped by the need to replace fullback David Barrett after just 13 minutes, although replacement Grant Lee was arguably their best player. The shock of the season was provided by bottom side Preston who upset league leaders Adelaide City 1-0 at Conner Reserve yesterday.

A goal from Socceroo striker Warren Spink eight minutes from the end consigned the visitors to their first defeat of the campaign. Champions South Melbourne remain a point behind Adelaide City after being held to a scoreless draw at home to Sydney Croatia. Melbourne Croatia snatched a last minute equaliser through Frances Awaritefeto to draw 1-1 with West Adelaide at Hindmarsh Stadium. Croatia fell behind in the 77th minute to a George Hannah own goal. Elsewhere yesterday, Marconi-Fairfield defeated Heidelberg United 2-0 at Bossley Park with two goals from Andrew Harper.

Parramatta Melita and Brisbane United shared a scoreless draw. Newcastle Breakers and Wollongong City drew 1-1 at Austral Park, John Koch scoring for the home side and Charlie Yankos equalising from the-spot. Melbourne has him at No 7. Regardless of the troubles of those around him, anyone who shoots birdie-birdie-birdie to close at Royal Melbourne has won, not gained a tournament by default. Riley's shot-making ability has never been questioned; only his temperament.

Peter Senior has had a bad year. That would be the perception, and Senior admits he has visited the bunker of despair, but he still started and finished by winning two of Australia's four "majors" the Masters and the Johnnie Walker Classic and that's a good year for almost anyone. Orange's beefy young amateur Locas Parsons deserves ranking in any top 40 for winning both the Australian and and New Zealand amateur titles a unique feat. He has achieved plenty and has plenty of time to decide whether he wants to achieve more in the professional ranks. going for dream finish The only choice is Baker-Finch SOCCER APIA LEICHHARDT SYDNEY OLYMPIC MICHAEL COCKERILL Jeff Doyle soon curbed them.

Apia are nothing if not resolute in defence, but the tragedy is that Schaefer is crucifying talented attacking players such as Paul Souris, Brian EHem and even Jason van Blerk, who is assumed to be a winger, by restricting them to defensive tasks. Sydney Olympic almost got a couple of goals, but the first time NSL TABLE 7 8 8 7 5 4 4 2 3 3 3 3 2 3 1 19 3 29 3 26 3 17 3 13 3 14 6 16 4 9 5 7 6 11 6 11 6 9 6 10 7 12 A Ft 8 19 9 18 12 18 12 17 15 17 14 17 11 12 11 15 11 19 10 21 10 19 10 17 9 20 9 Adelaide City South Melb Melb Croatia Olympic Wollongong Brisbane Utd Marconi Parramatta Leichhardt Newcastle Adelaide Preston Syd Croatia Heidelberg Stewart was there to head off the line from a Steve Refenes cross, and later goalkeeper Tony Fran-ken stretched well to his left to palm away a header from Saad. At the other end, the only scare came in the 44th minute when a ball into the box by John Gibson flicked off the boot of Phillips and looped onto the crossbar. For Sydney Olympic, it was the muted contribution of the mid-field which cost them both points. Eric Hristodoulou, Ironside and Phillips were all subdued, and this at a time when Saad and Bredbury were desperate for decent service.

It was especially JOHN MACDONALD Parry is a fair bet to join Greg Norman, Baker-Finch and Wayne Grady as the winner of a major. He edges out Mike Harwood, who can claim third on two performances; his second to Baker-Finch in the Open and his European Open victory. Harwood's British Open finish came during a run of poor form and he showed his mettle by finishing strongly after being well away from the runner-up place for much of his closing round. Next would be Steve Elkington, for one performance, but that one would be enough to make any year successful. This was his win in the Tournament Players Championship, often termed the fifth major.

Elkington has now won twice on the US tour, so money is not a problem, and anyone who can shoot a final-round 62 to score there can win anything. But Elkington is a puzzle some see him as potentially the best of the lot, but that's what he is: potentially the best. Rodger Davis fits comfortably into No by leading the Australian Order of Merit, making the top 10 in the European OOM and winning in Spain. The man compatriot Peter Senior has labelled one of the two mentally toughest competitors in the game, is not happy with the way he threw away his chances in the Australian Open and Johnnie Walker Classic. Roger Mackay is next, and this most underrated of Australian players has claims to be much higher.

Mackay won three tournaments in Japan, over a million dollars and just missed out on being the first Australian to lead the Japanese OOM. Wayne Riley's unforgettable Australian Open victory at Royal leg of Apia rival John picture by amanda watkins La Manga Classic and the Italian Open. She finished fourth in the tournament last year with a seven-under-par 212, and pos- sesses a power-game expected to do well on the par-74 course, which favours long hitters. Stephenson will be out to show life really does begin at 40. The former US Open winner, responsible for putting Australian women's golf on the map through her success overseas, turned 40 last Sunday.

She has been dodging the media since her return to Australia to compete in only her second tournament on home soil in more than a decade. The 1982 US PGA champion finished a disappointing 37th in last year's event, with a 10-over-par 229 after a solid first round of 71. Stephenson has spent a lot of time honing her game under the tutelage of Palm Meadows professional Gary Edwin. "Not enough power, it seems rather lacking in comparison," Herden said. Except that this mysterious game of golf, which only supermen seem to master these days and which almost requires heroic deeds to survive, has become accessible to everyone once more because of the women.

The women's game shows that courses can be played and beaten by brains, not brawn. Most of all, golf is still fun. Jan Stephenson, Australia's best-known women's golfer, pointed out this week that the average player would learn more by watching her than Greg Norman. So the first Ladies Masters helped start a roll. The initial $500,000 event last year has grown to a three-tournament $1.1 million tour this year, and possibly a four GOLF But she said the winner would have to come to terms with the tricky wind conditions.

"It's been two different winds since I've been out here, and it's been two different golf courses with that wind," Mallon said. "It's always so hard to judge what club to hit." She described the Graham Marsh-designed layout as difficult off the tees. "You have to pay attention," she said. "You can get into a lot of bunkers all day long. "Hopefully I won't do that" The Australian flag will be flown high by the likes of Corinne Dibnah, Jan Stephenson, Nicole Lowien, Jane Crafter and Sherrin Smyers.

Dibnah this year became the first Australian woman to top the European Order of Merit after wins in the European Masters, the to the green is different because some women lack the ability to generate back-spin by hitting a short club (wedge, sand iron, nine) with force. They have to use a more powerful club with less control. But few just work the ball to the green, most drive it in, and attack. In fact, the only detectable differences between the male and female game are functions of strength, not talent. And the sport's charm lies in those differences.

Rather than simply brutalise a course, women think their way round, placing the ball intelligently. "Their game emphasises accuracy and shot-making," said Johnson. Of course, not everyone wants that. Trevor Herden, a tour official for the men's PGA, does not enjoy the women's game. A few weeks before the British Open, Ian Baker-Finch publicly asked whether he was satisfied with just being a prominent placegetter and making bags of money.

Baker-Finch answered his own question when he won the Open so memorably and so emphatically that such a question should not be asked again. The victory makes Baker-Finch the only choice for Australian golfer of the year. He put himself into contention with a third-round 64, but only into contention. There were several obstacles. There was the obstacle represented by the question he had posed himself.

There was the memory of blowing out with a final-round 79 when leading the Open as a 23-y ear-old in 1984. And there was the memory of blowing out when paired with Nick Faldo at his most mechanical and intimidating best in the last round of the 1990 Open. Seve Ballesteros thought he was the man this year; Baker-Finch and others would not be able to cope with the fear of winning. The Spaniard was wrong. Baker-Finch's five birdies in the first seven holes won the Open.

Has there ever been a better front nine than his 29 in a major, a better exhibition of precise iron-play? The quality of the win has now made it accepted as inevitable there are more majors to come. Australia's quality in depth and boast of being the strongest country in the world was given force by the performances of a strong supporting cast. Craig Parry deserves second place because of his consistency. Parry won two European events, finished in the top three in the Order of Merit, won over a million dollars and tied for 1 Ith in the US Open after being a contender for a long way. Wanted: a 10-under-par superstar Victoria's gifted 20-year-old Robert Allenby has made that decision, and rounds out the top 10 for his feats as an amateur, highlighted by his Victorian PGA victory and thrilling Open second to Riley while still a lilywhite taking on the big boys.

Allenby has what it takes, but so have many before him who could not take what tempted. There are several -big names missing from the list, but one stands out. That name is Greg Norman's, of course. Sadly, he did nothing to merit consideration. It's now almost two years since Norman won anywhere, and his tragedies on the greens are well detailed.

It's being assumed he must inevitably win again, inevitably rediscover his putting touch. But it ain't necessarily so. History is against it Everyone hopes history is wrong. From Page 30 Suddenly, television changed all that. Last year, a wide audience saw good women's golf for the first time, and liked what they saw.

Among both sexes, the Ladies Masters tournament confirmed and spread the news about the sport's attractiveness. The strength of competition, level of skill, enjoyment and look of the game won many converts. And why not? The top women hit the ball 240 yards, a pretty hefty whack by most male standards. They can record a 65, or eight under par. A men's tournament course is about IS per cent longer than the women's, but the Ladies Masters is still played on a testing layout.

Maybe the women's short game.