Soccer: Recalled Jackson key in Kingz clash

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Chris Jackson will play a key role as the Football Kingz try to turn their season around in Sydney tonight.

The All Whites midfielder has been named by caretaker coach Shane Rufer in the starting lineup for the clash with Sydney United - the Kingz' 70th NSL outing.

The recalled Jackson will be expected to add some much-needed grunt against a team who ran leaders Perth Glory close last weekend.

"His experience and workrate will be invaluable," Rufer said. "He hasn't been involved for some time, but is well aware of what is needed.

"It will be back to the basics, with every player expected to play their part. The problems - players switching off and losing concentration at vital times, particularly after scoring, and individual errors - remain.

"You are not going to change these things overnight, but the Kingz are here to stay and we must look to get the results we want."

Asked whether he felt victory tonight would enhance his prospects of being named as coach for the rest of the season, Rufer said he had no comment on the future, preferring instead to say he was looking forward to the game.

"The players also have to put aside any personal goals and concentrate their efforts on playing as a team.

"I've given it my best shot. On paper, and given the results of Perth's last two games when they beat us 7-2 and Sydney United 2-1, United should beat us by five goals. That won't happen."

After a light training session, which included some work on set plays, the Kingz flew to Australia yesterday afternoon, continuing this season's trend of travelling before match day.

In the only change from last week's starting lineup, Jackson replaces suspended Andy Vlahos. On the substitutes' bench, Wynton Rufer is back in place of Tim Stevens.

Kingz: James Bannatyne, Levent Osman, Riki Van Steeden, Hiroshi Miyazawa, Jonathan Perry, Mark Atkinson, Mark Burton, Harry Ngata (capt), Chris Jackson, Paul Urlovic, John Markovski. Substitutes: Michael Theoklitos, Leigh Kenyon, Vinko Buljubasic, Wynton Rufer.

Sydney United (likely): John Perosh, Michael Santalab, Vince Savoca, Michael Cunico, Kresmir Marusic, Ante Milicic, Ante Deur, Paul Bilokapic, Marcus Stergiopoulos, John Angelucci, Ivan Zelic. Substitutes: Brett Hughes, Zeljko Kopic, Goran Talevski, Commins Menapi.