Soccer: Last-gasp thrills bring delight for Kingz fans

By BOB PEARCE

At last the Kingz have done it. Their supporters had palpitations at Ericsson Stadium last night but the local side scored their first win since November, 2-1 against Sydney Olympic Sharks.

When the visitors equalised in the 87th minute, it seemed yet another rerun of the Kingz' penchant for grabbing defeat from the jaws of victory.

But it was Olympic who faltered a minute later as Andrew Durante turned a cross from Jonathan Perry into his own net.

Four minutes of injury time prolonged the Kingz agony, but thanks to the Sydneysiders' poor shooting they survived.

The Kingz' new-look defence looked shaky throughout but they managed to make saving tackles in the nick of time and goalie Michael Theoklitos played a blinder with three or four spectacular saves.

The corner count of 12-0 to Olympic told the tale of possession and for the much of the game Paul Urlovic and Andy Vlahos were on their own up front for the Kingz.

But when it counted the Kingz found the net while the Sharks were over-elaborate and squandered chance after chance.

After a scoreless first half the Kingz, had their first real chance in the 51st minute.

A perfectly flighted freekick from Vlahos found Urlovic only for his header to drift wide.

But two minutes later the Kingz were ahead. A Vlahos header found George Goutzioulis 22m out and his powerful drive bulged the net.

For much of the rest of the half the tide swung strongly in the Sharks favour but either Theoklitos, John Markovski or their own wild shooting kept them scoreless until in the 86th minute Ante Juric headed the equaliser.

Durante's own goal completed the scoring in the 87th minute but there was still work for Theoklitos to do before the final whistle.

The Kingz had the goalkeeper to thank for keeping the game scoreless until halftime despite Olympic's domination of possession.

In the 11th minute he got down quickly to block a shot by Tom Pondeljak and shortly after he parried a dangerous cross by Lindsay Wilson, which was scrambled clear.

But as the makeshift defence was tormented by the quick feet of Nick Carle even Theoklitos had to rely on the crossbar to deny Troy Halpin in the 27th minute.

Not until the 41st minute did the Kingz manage their first shot - a rather tame effort which was easily fielded by Clint Bolton.

With time almost up for the half, Theoklitos made his greatest contribution.

A clumsy tackle gave Olympic a freekick on the edge of the penalty area and Halpin's shot was heading for the left hand corner before the goalkeeper at full stretch turned it round the post.

There was particular merit in the Kingz' victory.

Olympic are fourth on the table and in their last game beat the previously undefeated Perth team.

Coach Kevin Fallon would have been pleased by the commitment of his players, who never gave up harrying a team with more talent, particularly in one-to-one encounters.

But despite the efforts of Markovski in the unfamiliar role at the centre of the defence, he must still surely be looking for defenders who can shut down skilful attacks without conceding freekicks.

Jeff Campbell returned to the Auckland-based team after an unsuccessful stop in Adelaide.

He lasted until midway through the second half and clearly offers the club some variation in the midfield.