Soccer: Kingz earn a hard-fought draw

By TERRY MADDAFORD and NZPA

The Football Kingz picked up their first away point of the National Soccer League season with a 1-1 draw against the Brisbane Strikers, but again defensive uncertainties let a winning advantage slip away.

Kingz assistant coach Shane Rufer said the result was a positive one and praised his players for their performance - which he rated as a step-up from previous weeks - and their refusal to be intimidated.

"Everyone lifted a notch and we were more consistent," he said.

"The Brisbane Strikers are a physical team and it was a very physical game. It was important that none of our players got intimidated and they did very well."

The Kingz took the early running, but in leaving Wynton Rufer to play the Lone Ranger role up front, scoring opportunities were few. Only when Aaran Lines, Ivan Vicelich or Mark Burton pushed forward did the visitors look likely.

Despite that early advantage - the Kingz forced four corners inside 11 minutes - it was Brisbane who had the first real chance when Wayne Srhoj sent Brazilian Fernando Rech clear. His shot was neatly deflected for a corner by goalkeeper Chris Marsh, who continues to impress.

The first half remained scoreless until injury time, when Rufer grabbed the lead for the visitors.

In the second spell, the failure of the Kingz defence to clear the third of three quickfire corners gave captain Stu McLaren a great scoring opportunity, but his header was cleared off the line by Harry Ngata.

The heartbreaker for the Kingz came in the 72nd minute, when the defence was caught flat-footed and failed to clear, allowing Paul Foster to gather a ball from Stu McLaren and deftly flick it over his shoulder and away from Marsh into the net.

It was Foster's fifth goal of the season and confirmed his standing as the club's leading scorer.

While there were half-chances at both ends in the remaining 20 minutes, neither side seriously threatened to break the deadlock.

Both sides ended up with a point which did little to improve their places in the lower regions of the points table. It did, however, stretch Brisbane's unbeaten run to four games.

Shane Rufer praised his much-maligned defence for hanging on for at least a share of the spoils, saying the goal they conceded had an element of good fortune to it.

"It was a bit of a lucky goal, but that's the way it goes," he said.

"We're pleased we were able to hold on. Our defence performed a lot better and, as you know, in football there's a fine line between success and a loss."

The Kingz are back at Ericsson Stadium on Friday night to play Parramatta Power.

The match between Carlton and Perth Glory was postponed, the second time in a row for Carlton.