Soccer: Classy striker joins All Whites

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Vaughan Coveny could have Chris Killen as a dual striking partner in the All Whites' Oceania World Cup deciders in Wellington and Sydney next week.

Minutes after New Zealand's comfortable 7-0 win over Vanuatu in their group two clash at North Harbour Stadium yesterday, coach Ken Dugdale confirmed that Killen, who had opted out of the qualifying tournament, would rejoin the squad on Saturday to prepare for the home-and-away playoffs.

Killen, who wanted a break after a long season with his Manchester City club and internationals for the under-20 side, is keen to resume his top-level career. His presence would help to ease Coveny's workload.

Coveny was the top scorer in the qualifying tournament - a hat-trick in the first half yesterday took his tally to eight. He has worked well with Aaran Lines, but has often, in a two-man attack, been dragged away from a central striking role.

Killen should provide more impetus and another attacking dimension. He comes in for Jeff Campbell, who is hampered by a pelvic strain.

Kris Bouckenooghe's hopes of a return for the game at WestpacTrust Stadium have been dashed because his medial ligament injury has not responded to treatment.

Goalkeeper Jason Batty, who only played the first half of New Zealand's opening tournament match, will travel with the team today in the hope his injured calf muscle will heal before Tuesday's technical meeting at which both 20-man squads must be named.

Coveny needed just 98s to grab his first goal against Vanuatu, a well-struck effort from an acute angle. He had his second within six minutes after Jonathan Perry had played in a well-directed cross.

Chris Jackson headed home the third in the 25th minute after the defence failed to clear a Simon Elliott corner.

Perry was justly rewarded in the 28th minute to push the score to 4-0.

Coveny completed his three-goal haul in the 30th minute and Mark Burton headed home a Lines' cross in the 62nd minute.

Ivan Vicelich, who with captain Chris Zoricich and Ryan Nelsen had another unhurried day in the New Zealand rearguard, completed the scoring in the 68th minute when he side-footed home a Nelsen cross.

In the 74th minute, Burton clashed heads with Northern Ireland referee Les Irvine, who was forced to retire - for the first time in 25 years. He needed 10 stitches to a cut above his left eye.

Asked later if he felt it had been a good dress-rehearsal for the games against Australia, Dugdale said: "It was a good win."

Asked by the Herald if he had had any thought of taking Elliott out of the game because he had already received one yellow card and a second would have ruled him out of Wednesday's match, Dugdale replied: "Next question."

He had the same curt reply when asked if he had been happy with his team's efforts at set play.

Dugdale said he thought the team had been sloppy at times and had had better all-round games against Tahiti and the Solomon Islands.

However, he made it clear his attention was now focused on Australia.

"There is nothing to be afraid of. If they [Australia] can beat France then we can beat Australia.

"I don't think our players will be overawed. There is a super spirit in the camp.

"I never thought we would not go through. The players have been focused from the start."

Tahiti confirmed their ranking as the second-best team in group two with a 2-0 win over the Solomons in yesterday's late game.