Soccer: Kingz sure to feel Parramatta's power

By TERRY MADDAFORD


The Football Kingz can expect a backlash when they square off with Parramatta Power in their first meeting of the season at Hamilton's Waikato Stadium tomorrow night.

Parramatta's 2-1 loss to Adelaide United last weekend ended an unbeaten run at home of 18 matches stretching back to November 2002 for the Australian National Soccer League pacesetters.

For Kingz coach Tommy Mason, nothing is easy.

After this match he must prepare to take his team to Perth for next Saturday's game - the first leg of a tough away trip which also includes a match against the Melbourne Knights four days later.

"Parramatta and Perth back-to-back is a tough assignment," said Mason. "But we have to take them a game at a time and do what we can.

"I've had a look at a couple of tapes of Parramatta. They're a decent side. We will have to try and stop them playing but it won't be easy especially with the injuries we have.

"I'm sure we will be under the cosh but that is not unusual. They have had a fright so we can expect them to come at us."

Goalkeeper Michael Utting will be rested.

"He is seeing a specialist," said Mason. "He has been playing in a lot of pain for the past two or three months. We need to find out what is going on."

Mason is not prepared to take any chances with key defender John Tambouras who will miss this game after being kicked in the face in the match against Sydney United. He will also stand down Mark Burton as a precaution after he injured his right knee.

With defender Glen Collins also out while he serves a one-match suspension, Mason has had to shuffle the pack.

While Jeremy Christie and Paul Seaman are again available, Mason said it was likely they would play in the early game in which a Kingz selection will meet a local side.

Aleksander Midtsian is back from injury and should play but fellow Norwegian Espen Schjerven will need a fitness test on his injured groin before being given the okay.

Ross Nicholson is set to play in goal but he too has been hampered by a slight injury. Young Tamati Williams will step in if required.

Parramatta coach Nick Theodorakopoulos has stuck with the squad he put out against Adelaide.

The match kicks off at 8pm.

* Kingz (from): Ross Nicholson, Tamati Williams, Mauro Donoso, Espen Schjerven, Jason Rowley, Craig Wylie, David Rayner, Chad Coombes, Jeff Campbell, Paul Harries, Chris Jackson, Harry Ngata, Brad Scott, Aleksander Midtsian, Tallan Martin.

* Parramatta (squad): Clint Bolton, Jacek Sobczyk, Michael Beauchamp, Matt Thompson, Travis Dodd, Andre Gumprecht, Simon Colosimo, Ante Milicic, Fernado Rech, Saso Petrovski, Lucas Pantelis, Ahmad Elrich, Paul O'Grady, Peter Zorbas, Danny Vukovic.

* TV: Live on Sky Sport 1.