Soccer: Pressure on Kingz to turn it around against Souths at home

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Tommy Mason holds no fond memories of his first game as coach of the Football Kingz.

South Melbourne thumped the New Zealanders 6-0, so it was hardly the start Mason needed as he tried to turn around the Kingz' already tumultuous season.

Michael Curcija led the charge in that game - scoring four, including a second-half hat-trick.

Tonight, with the home advantage, Mason and his charges have the chance to turn it around against Souths at Ericsson Stadium.

It will be a tall order as the 13th-placed Kingz meet third-placed South Melbourne in a game the visitors will be keen to win as they continue their charge to next month's playoffs.

"We have still got three games to play and I want to get something from them all," said Mason.

"This is the toughest of the three but the players have to go out looking to win.

"They have to aim for nine points from these last three games."

The Kingz were outplayed by Marconi last week, going down 2-1, and Mason is hoping the return of Danny Hay and John Tambouras tonight will strengthen the defence and provide the platform for something better.

"We will have a last look at Danny in the morning, but it looks likely he will be fit to play," said Mason.

"His availability will determine the formation we will go in with."

Mason will play four at the back if Hay plays.

Unlike last week, when he struggled to field a team, Mason has 16 fit players.

"It hasn't been easy. We have had so many injuries, but there is no point in looking back. We have to get out and do the best job we can."

There will be more than passing interest in the visitors.

Included in their squad is Con Boutsianis, who had a fleeting interest in the Kingz.

Souths are led by All Whites striker Vaughan Coveny and have the league's second most experienced player, Paul Trimboli, in midfield.

Trimboli, with close to 450 NSL appearances, is second behind Alex Tobin on the all-time list.

Also in the Souths squad are former Kingz players Levent Osman, Marcus Stergiopoulos and Michael Theoklitos.

Meanwhile, the national youth league reaches its midway point this weekend with three key games.

The leaders, the Mick Waitt-coached Capital team, are at home to Mainland today and are looking for a repeat of last weekend's barnstorming 7-2 win over Soccer2. Six of those goals came in the second half.

Unbeaten and yet to concede a goal, United Soccer 1 are at home to Central at North Harbour Stadium tomorrow afternoon.

Kris Bright has scored all United's goals in their two-from-two start to the season.

In the other game, Force3 meet Soccer2 at Gower Park in Hamilton tomorrow.