Soccer: Kingz' poor effort raises questions

By TERRY MADDAFORD

An ailing Ivan Vicelich missed his first game for the Football Kingz, but even his presence would not have saved his side from their embarrassing 1-3 loss to Marconi in Sydney.

A week after their commendable effort in playing out a scoreless draw with Australian National Soccer League contenders Carlton, the Kingz slipped back to their bad old ways on Saturday night.

Once the revolving selection door had lurched to a halt, the Kingz had three changes from the team who had started against Carlton and a positional switch, with Chris Jackson returned to the midfield to find a place for Riki Van Steeden in defence.

Still, some questions need answers.

Why did Dennis Ibrahim again play in midfield when he was signed, so we were told, as a striker?

Why, if Wynton Rufer was fit enough to play, did he manage only the last 11 minutes?

And where was the urgency from a team struggling to make any impression?

Being told the club's NSL future was assured was surely the worst news for the fans who are still waiting for a return to something like the form which earned them consecutive wins not too many weeks ago.

There is little doubt that somewhere within the 23-strong squad there is a base from which a competitive team can be built.

It seems All Whites coach Ken Dugdale will name up to eight Kingz players in his squad for next month's Fifa-sanctioned, 16-nation tournament in India, so when are these so-called internationals going to show something for their club side?

Suggestions of growing discontent and a prima donna attitude by players many feel are overpaid seem to have some substance.

In continuing to overlook players such as Gerard Davis, Andy Bluhm and Aaron Silva, and selecting others away from their best, or preferred, positions, coaches Shane and Wynton Rufer raise further questions.

A shocking defensive error by Ibrahim, who let the ball run, combined with Che Bunce being caught off balance, led to an easy opening goal for Marconi's Royce Brownlie.

That 22st-minute opener was matched two minutes later by the Kingz' Mark Burton, who played a long ball in and was then on the spot to score his first goal for the Kingz when the defence headed out.

Six minutes before halftime Jackson was booked for the third time in seven games as the home side continued to enjoy the lion's share of possession and territory.

Kris Trajanovski smacked home for Marconi's second goal, and Brownlie completed the victory, Marconi's first over the Kingz, with a solo 75th-minute effort.

Marconi were down to 10 men for the last 13 minutes when Chris Cane was sent off for taking a dive.

Burton, Levent Osman and goalkeeper Chris Marsh were the only Kingz players to fly home yesterday with a pass mark.