Soccer: NSL chiefs in late-night bid to solve Cosmos' cash woes

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Canberra Cosmos' fate in the national league hung in the balance last night.

A lengthy telephone link-up involving all Soccer Australia board members - including chairman Ian Knop in the United States - had, late last night, been unable to resolve the club's financial problems.

Plans for a new 36-game season seem certain to be invoked.

Meanwhile, Football Kingz coach Mike Petersen is expecting controversial midfielder Con Boutsianis to rejoin his squad by the end of the week.

"I spoke to Con last night," Petersen said. "He is working through the problems with his knee injury. There is no suggestion he will not fulfil his contract with the Kingz. As far as I'm concerned it is not negotiable.

"I want to get him on the paddock."

A report from Melbourne yesterday suggested that Boutsianis had "fallen out with the Kingz" and that he was being touted as a "ready-made replacement" for South Melbourne midfielder Zeljko Susa, who has joined Croatian club Hajduk Split.

Former Carlton striker John Markovski yesterday signed with the Kingz.

Markovski, a 350-game NSL veteran who played on trial with the Kingz on their pre-season tour, arrived in Auckland yesterday to sign a one-year contract.

He should be in action again in Friday night's warm-up game at Ericsson Stadium.

Markovski's signing will help to ease the pressure on Petersen.

He already accepts that he will be without Japanese defender Hiroshi Miyazawa for the season opener against Brisbane on Friday week. Miyazawa must serve a one-match suspension, carried over from last season.

Che Bunce, who has been playing on loan in Iceland, will also miss the season opener after having surgery on a back injury.

Boutsianis could also be missing as he struggles with his knee injury.

All Whites goalkeeper James Bannatyne, who also went on the Australian tour, trained with the squad yesterday and is expected to sign for the new season today.

In other developments yesterday, Branko Culina, axed as coach at Sydney Olympic (now Olympic Sharks) less than a week ago, was named as head coach at rival Sydney United.

In Melbourne, the Knights announced plans to play some matches at Colonial Stadium, including their home game against the Kingz on November 21, which could be a double-header because South Melbourne are scheduled to play Newcastle on the same day.