Afghanistan and Ireland out before opening

FOOTBALL - Because of the withdrawal of five teams, the draw for the first round of football had to be revised. There are 18 teams left which means that two preliminary matches had to be played to bring the number of teams down to 16.

Three days before the opening of the Games Luxembourg and Afghanistan met in Brighton. It turned out to be an easy victory for the Europeans. Konter en Kremer both scored two goals, while Wagner en captain Feller completed the 6-0 final score.

The other match was more exciting. The crowd in Portsmouths Fratton Park saw Holland take a quick lead against Ireland. At half time the Dutch were 2-0 up. O'Kelly scored for Ireland after the break but the Dutch also got another goal, so they were through to the final 16.

LUXEMBOURG 6 (Konter 2, Kremer 2, Wagner, V.Feller)
AFGHANISTAN 0

Luxembourg: Michaux - Pauly, J.Feller - Wagner, V.Feller(cap), Schumacher - Gales, Kremer, Konter, Paulus, Schammel.
Afghanistan: Ghafoor Assar - Gharzai, Yusufzai - Azimi, Barakzai, A.Kharot - M.Kharot, Afzai, Ghani Assar, Tajik, Yusufzai.

NETHERLANDS 3 (Roosenburg, Wilkes 2)
IRELAND 1 (O'Kelly)

Netherlands: Kraak - van Bun, Schijvenaar - Krigjh, Terlouw, de Vroet(cap) - van der Tuyn, Rijvers, Roosenburg, Wilkes, Lenstra.
Ireland: Lawlor - Glennon(cap), Richardson - Barry, Kavanagh, O'Grady - McDonald, McLoughlin, Cleary, O'Kelly, Smith.