Soccer: Kingz confident of making cut

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Teams are lining up to get into next season's Australian National Soccer League, but there are sure to be long faces when the successful applicants are named.

Four new clubs have applied to join the 15 incumbents in the 2001-2002 league.

The applications from South Coast Eagles (New South Wales), Brisbane Lions and Western Australian clubs Fremantle City and Western Lighting will be considered, but only if Soccer Australia does not find the 12 teams it wants from the 15 playing this season's league.

The 16th, Carlton, fell by the wayside last month.

Football Kingz general manager Chris Turner confirmed yesterday that his club had met the December 29 deadline to reapply and he was confident they would hold their place.

"Unlike most clubs, we have a five-year licence and as long as we can prove we meet the requirements as a going concern, we have no worries," Turner said. "There will be some hard talking before Soccer Australia comes up with the 12 teams."

There is sure to be pressure from clubs threatened with the chop.

Though Soccer Australia is adamant it will take the number of clubs down to 12, there is some speculation the election of a new chairman - Basil Scarscella will step down next month following his election as president of the Oceania Football Confederation - could bring a change of heart and an increase to 14 teams.