Soccer: New-look lineup likely as Kingz take on Strikers

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The Football Kingz roundabout will lurch to a halt tomorrow night when new coach Mike Petersen names his first lineup for the new NSL season.

It will be a major surprise if more than three of the players who started in the Kingz last league outing - the 4-2 away win over Sydney United on April 29 - run on to Ballymore to play the Brisbane Strikers tomorrow night.

While Petersen was saying little before today's flight, the likely starting lineup could be: Michael Theoklitos, Sean Douglas (capt), Vinko Buljubasic, Mark Atkinson, Jonathan Perry, George Goutzioulis, Mark Burton, Gerard Davis, Paul Urlovic, Wynton Rufer and Andy Vlahos.

Petersen has chosen to leave second goalkeeper James Bannatyne at home - Goutzioulis could step between the posts if required - and Hiroshi Miyazawa is serving a carry-over one-match suspension.

Che Bunce is still recovering from his August 30 back operation, and Riki Van Steeden is not required. Con Boutsianis has not been sighted since his return to Melbourne last month.

Davis, Urlovic and Douglas are the only likely starters who began the game against Sydney United.

Strikers Rufer and John Markovski are likely to play part games.

"We are going over with the intention of getting a result and taking three points," said Petersen. "I'm looking for an honest performance."

After two years as assistant to his brother Wynton, Shane Rufer is looking forward to his first game in the same role under Petersen.

"We are in 'let the games begin' mode," said Rufer. "The 'un-nice' months of training are behind us. A lot of good work has been put in, but the real answers will only come on the pitch.

"I have no doubt that our trainer Darren Welch is the best in this part of the world. He has done wonders with the team. Mike Petersen knows the Australian League inside out."

The Kingz drew 1-1 with Brisbane (away) and beat them 3-2 at Ericsson Stadium last season.

After the demise of Canberra Cosmos, who would have been the Kingz' seventh-round opponents (at North Harbour Stadium), the Kingz will play five of their first seven games in Australia.