Soccer: Nervous times as new era begins

By Terry Maddaford

Wynton Rufer has played some big games in his long soccer career, but few had him as apprehensive as he feels ahead of tonight's clash between the Football Kingz and Carlton in the opening game of the Australian soccer league season.

"We are all very nervous. It is a whole new step for New Zealand soccer," said 36-year-old Rufer, the team's player-coach, as he and Kingz squad members attended a team dinner last night. "We are excited by the challenge. I admit I had a few butterflies going to training today."

Rufer, who has played in the German Cup final, at a World Cup final tournament and rubbed shoulders with some of the world's best, said a final decision on whether he would take his place in the starting line-up would not be made until closer to kickoff, but he was keen to take his place from the outset of the historic game.

Rufer will play an attacking midfield role behind strikers Fred de Jong and Chilean Aaron Silva.

"Everyone is fit and we have been able to name our 16 players from the entire 23-strong squad. Only Harry Ngata, who was injured in training today, is doubtful," he said.

Ngata has been bracketed in the midfield with Solomon Islands international Batram Suri.

All White midfielder Chris Jackson has been handed the captaincy reins and will play a vital midfield role.

There is an interesting blend of New Zealand and overseas players in the squad named by Rufer.

Both Chileans - Silva and defender David Moya - have been named, as have Australians Levent Osman, Marcus Stergiopoulos, Dino Mennillo and Robbie Middleby.

Rufer said the players' nationalities had played no part in selecting the squad for tonight's game at North Harbour Stadium.

"At the end of the day we have to put a team together we feel is capable of doing well," he said. "We feel we have been made welcome [into the Ericsson Cup] but how well we have done can only be weighed up at the end of the season."

With Jason Batty hampered by injury in training, All Whites goalkeeper Michael Utting will start tonight.

Kingz squad (NZ unless stated): Michael Utting, Che Bunce, Levent Osman (Australia), Jonathan Perry, David Moya (Chile), Marcus Stergiopoulos (Australia), Wynton Rufer, Harry Ngata, Fred de Jong, Dino Mennillo (Australia), Robbie Middleby (Australia), Jason Batty, Aaron Silva (Chile), Ivan Vicelich, Riki van Steeden, Chris Jackson captain.

Kick-off: 7.30pm, North Harbour Stadium.