Soccer: Kingz celebrate as they end woeful run

By BOB PEARCE

The Kingz had their first win at Ericsson Stadium this season when they beat Parramatta 2-1 last night.

It was a well-deserved victory, but boy, did they make their fans sweat before it was achieved.

Down 1-0 at halftime, they drew level in the 62nd minute from a Parramatta error and then went ahead in the 81st with a blast from Paul Urlovic, who had come on as a substitute.

The irony of the first half was that the Kingz played some of their best football, but went in at halftime trailing by the single goal.

It came in the third minute when Parramatta survived some early Kingz pressure and their clearance found the speedy Ahmad Elrich on the right flank.

The defence was flat-footed as Elrich picked out Kosta Salapasides for the easiest of goals.

Two minutes later it could have been 2-0. Jonathon Taylor's underhit back-pass was intercepted by Elrich, who shot just wide.

Ignoring these setbacks the Kingz pressed forward and Andy Vlahos, Patricio Almendra and Jeff Campbell combined well to stretch the defence. But despite a string of corners, there was hardly a shot on goal.

In the 25th minute all the pressure seemed to have paid off. Vlahos got behind the defence, outwitted the goalkeeper and steered the ball toward the goal. But Alvin Ceccoli raced back and cleared it off the line.

A couple of minutes later, after yet another corner, Taylor's powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area was blocked on the line.

Parramatta had chances of their own, usually created through the pace of Elrich and Matt Langdon on the flanks.

The Kingz equaliser came somewhat against the run of play after Parramatta had made a strong start to the second half. The home team finally broke free and from a left-wing corner in the 62nd minute Brendan Renaud headed into his own net.

Desperate for the three points, the Kingz pressed forward and created plenty of chances. The best saw Almendra's shot brilliantly saved by Liam Reddy.

The winning goal finally came with nine minutes remaining. Harry Ngata crossed from the right and Urlovic volleyed it in.

The victory pushed the Kingz above the visitors on the points table. They have 10, one more than Parramatta.

It was a result that lifted the home side out of the bottom four.

The Kingz have had two wins, four draws and three losses.