Deaf All Whites crushed 18-0

The New Zealand team found itself out of its depth in the World Deaf Games soccer tournament, being crushed 18-0 by the Netherlands in its opening match on Saturday night at Queen Elizabeth II Park.

The deaf All Whites were two goals down after 4min and trailed by seven goals at half-time.

Hermanus Westerterp and Wilhelmus Hermens scored five goals each, while Jan Veltman and Marinus den Besten netted twice. Sikko Hoekzenoma, Lammert den Besten, Jan van Renselaar and Marcel van Duyzenvoorde scored one each.

In the other match on Saturday Italy, the reigning champion, came back from 1-1 at half-time to beat South Korea, 4-1.

At English Park yesterday, England, helped by two goals from Mark Walford, beat the strong West German team 4-2 after it had been 2-2 at half-time.

In the other match, Sweden beat United States 5-1. Stefan Axelson scored two goals, but Bjorn Handtoft provided the highlight for the crowd with a 10sec jig in front of the grandstand after netting the fourth.

The Games soccer coordinator, Trevor Gotter-meyer, said that after three rounds of play it was evident the overall standard, with the exception of the New Zealand team, was up to national league standard.

“And it is good to be able to go to a game and not hear players shouting,” he said.

The referees for the tournament have been drawn from the national league panel. Out-of-towners have taken the games so far, but Christchurch’s Ron Gallon and David Haase are likely to have games in the next few days.