Soccer: Kingz caught again in the final minute

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The Football Kingz suffered more last-minute heartbreak last night, unluckily drawing 2-2 with Newcastle at Ericsson Stadium.

Just when coach Kevin Fallon thought he had broken through for a richly-deserved victory, fate played its hand.

Fourth official Derek Rugg somehow found the need to play three minutes of added time. Referee Perry Mur then added another 20 seconds of his own, enough for the visitors to snatch a draw, a point and a club-record 11 unbeaten games. For the Kingz, it was just heartbreak.

Both teams took time to settle, with few passes finding intended targets in a see-saw contest largely played out in the midfield.

In Harry Ngata, the Kingz at least had the never-give-in inspiration they have lacked at times. By battling away, he at least got a foot in to win valuable possession.

Mark Burton fed off those early scraps. Two or three times in the first 15 minutes he found Andy Vlahos who, in turn, looked for something positive in combining with Paul Urlovic.

Urlovic forced an early corner and later just failed to get a foot to a cross which whistled across the face of the goal.

From that fifth-minute corner, Newcastle quickly turned defence into attack to send Joel Griffiths away. He should have done better than firing his attempt straight at Kingz goalkeeper and man-of-the-match Michael Theoklitos.

Defensively, the rearranged Kingz' rearguard appeared better organised, with Gerard Davis handed the responsibility of keeping Newcastle dangerman - and former Kingz midfielder - Robbie Middleby in check.

Griffiths, back from a one-week suspension, Travis Dodd and Matthew Bingley constantly pushed forward for Newcastle to maintain pressure on Kingz defenders Chris Jackson, Hiroshi Miyazawa and Riki Van Steeden.

Vlahos gave the home side their first real hope, but his 15th-minute header from a ball yet again played in by Burton looped over goalkeeper Daniel Beltrame and nestled on the top of the goal.

From their first corner, in the 22nd minute, the visitors went close. Chris Zoricich fired his kick long and wide. Middleby hit it on the full, but his volley was expertly palmed away by Theoklitos.

The deadlock was broken 10 minutes later when Griffiths was allowed to run free. He got inside the penalty area, turned Miyazawa inside out and played the ball to Dodd, who was unchallenged in providing the finishing touch.

Campbell Banks came in for Burton at halftime and immediately there was a greater sense of urgency.

Eight minutes after the break Jonathan Perry broke quickly and fed Vlahos, who sent Urlovic clear.

He was skittled and referee Mur - not one to blow his whistle too often - had no option but to point to the spot. Urlovic just as quickly had the ball in the back of the Newcastle goal.

Stung, the visitors hit back, but in Theoklitos they met their match. Two or three inspirational saves denied them and breathed renewed life into the Kingz, who were rewarded in the 77th minute when Vlahos curled home his 43rd NSL goal.

Then in time added on came the cruellest blow of all as the defence was caught flat-footed, Daniel McBreen pounced and the dream again became a nightmare.

Fallon, who has seen his side concede late goals in the dying minutes of each of his four games in charge, could not believe it had happened again. "I don't think I can fully comprehend it. I feel numb."

Newcastle coach Ian Crook admitted that as injury time began he thought his side had blown their unbeaten record.