Soccer: Kingz aim to better last year's effort

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The chance to finish their season in better than eighth place remains a driving force for the Football Kingz heading into the last three games of their second Australian National Soccer league season.

"That would mean we have done better than last year," said Kingz assistant coach Shane Rufer ahead of tonight's game at Ericsson Stadium against defending league and Oceania champions the Wollongong Wolves.

"We also know we still have a slim hope of making the top six so we have to give it everything."

But Rufer and his players know there will be no favours from the Ron Corry-coached Wolves, still chasing a top-two finish. Those hopes were boosted by Wednesday night's 2-2 draw between leaders South Melbourne, who had a goal from All Whites' striker Vaughan Coveny to help snatch an away point, and Sydney Olympic.

In players like Scott Chipperfield, Stuart Young, Matthew Horsley, and former Football Kingz pair Dino Mennillo and Robbie Middleby, Wollongong boast one of the strongest line-ups in the league, but the Kingz did hold them to 1-1 earlier in the season, on the eve of their departure for the Oceania club championships.

Until their disaster against Canberra a week ago, when they lost 3-2 at home, the Kingz might have gone into tonight's game with more hope.

Now they must turn things around quickly, and return to the form that saw them go unbeaten for six weeks.

"Everyone is very disappointed. We were close to a famous third win in a row." said Rufer.

"It was gut-wrenching.

"But the players still have plenty, including contracts for next season and places in the All Whites, to play for."

"It was a complete blackout against Canberra.

"They weren't switched on, that's for sure. Too many individual errors crept back in."

Rufer said he was not planning wholesale changes but it seems goalkeeper Julio Cuello will pay the price for his follies which handed Canberra two of their goals.

Chris Marsh, who last played on February 16 in the 1-2 home loss to Northern Spirit, will be back for only his second game since the away trip to Wollongong on January 5.

The only other change could come in midfield, with Gerard Davis set to regain the place he somewhat surprisingly surrendered to Andy Bluhm last week.

Corry has no doubt it will be a tough game.

"It is always a difficult trip across the Tasman," he said.'

"I feel this will be no different, but we can welcome back Scott Chipperfield after a four-week absence."

The Kingz have yet to beat Wollongong in five outings.