Soccer: Osman turns provider as Kingz tumble

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Kingz defender Levent Osman played Santa Claus in handing Parramatta Power an early Christmas present - a 1-0 victory in last night's National Soccer League clash at Ericsson Stadium.

That first-half gift underlined just how far off the pace the Football Kingz have drifted.

It could not have been much worse. At one stage the floodlights went out in sympathy but by the time darkness had closed in the lights were back on but that was cold comfort for the again out-of-sorts the Kingz.

Once again, the Kingz showed their inability to change tactics when the first choice policy is not working.

Against one of the tallest defences in the competition, the Kingz persisted with hopeful balls pumped high and long which gave their ever-thin attack no chance. Not until the fireworks exploded after the game was there any real action or hint of urgency for the loyal but head-shaking fans.

It was another of those stuttering performances with little go-forward and barely a half chance as they slumped to their sixth loss in 11 outings.

The goal which separated the teams came after 18 minutes when Osman, with few options, was trapped under pressure.

In attempting to clear he played the ball on to Joel Griffiths. To Osman's horror, the ball richeted off Griffths, away from Osman and Kingz goalkeeper Chris Marsh and into the unprotected net for the most ludicrous goal of the season.

The visitors were a strong, workmanlike outfit.

There were no frills about their play, but with players like Griffiths, Damien Brown, Ahmad Elrich and defenders Alex Tobin (in his 447th NSL outing), Nick Orlic and Joe Vrkic they were canny enough to keep a stuttering Kingz side at arms length.

Only the usual solid effort from Mark Burton, especially in the first half, some sound defensive work from new signing Sean Douglas and the occasional glimpse from Jonathan Perry, Aaran Lines and Ivan Vicelich as well as a couple of good late saves from Marsh, gave the faithful much to cheer about.

The Kingz' best chance came on the half hour as they continued to struggle to come to terms with having conceded a sloppy goal.

Vicelich headed an Andy Bluhm freekick on to Burton, who struck a great volley which rattled the crossbar.

There was not much else. Even from set play the Kingz rarely threatened.

The home side again fared well in the freekick count but their inability to make anything from those or the half dozen corners they won again underlined the inability of one of the - on paper - strongest teams in the competition to ever change things.

Too much ball played back or square and a reluctance to get forward again cost the Kingz dearly and left them lamenting what might have been.

As for the Sydneysiders, they deservedly continued their charge up the table and celebrated the gift-wrapped present.