Soccer: Veteran aims to kick-start Kingz

By TERRY MADDAFORD

For John Markovski it's very much a case of "have boots, will play."

The 31-year-old, lured across the Tasman to join Wynton Rufer as the attacking spearhead for the Football Kingz, is at his ninth Australian National Soccer League club.

He first kicked a ball for now defunct league club Sunshine St George Cross 15 years ago.

No player has tried his luck at more clubs. And only eight have turned out for more than the 352 NSL games Markovski can boast. Given a long run this season, he could be into the top six or seven on the all-time list.

And the former international has no intention of stopping there.

"I have signed a one-year contract at this stage," said Markovski, who has returned to the league after a break last season following Carlton's demise.

"But we are really enjoying it here in Auckland. Given the opportunity, I would love to finish my career here."

He, wife Susanah and sons Joshua and Jonas have settled quickly.

He turned down a couple of offers from Sydney clubs, taking that decision after playing for the Kingz on their three-match pre-season tour to Sydney and Wollongong.

"Sure, Sydney was an option, but I liked what I saw in those matches," Markovski said. "I reckon this team is capable of going to the final."

Once he finds the goalscoring form and match fitness that coach Mike Petersen is looking for, there is no doubt he can more than adequately fill the attacking target role left vacant since Fred de Jong's retirement at the end of the Kingz' first season.

It is little surprise that Markovski and Andy Vlahos have shown something as an attacking combination. They played together at Carlton a couple of seasons back, scoring 27 goals between them.

The fans hope that understanding quickly returns, although the feeling remains Markovski needs a little more time to regain the weight and fitness level he best operates at.

After spending his first 10 years in the midfield, he was given the call to go forward and went on to play for the Socceroos in that role.

Playing South Melbourne at Ericsson Stadium last Friday was not his first New Zealand outing.

He played here in the Australian under-20 side and later in their full national Xl. He boasts more than 30 games for the Socceroos and has no hesitation in recalling his most memorable match: "The quarter-final against Sweden at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. It was something special because I scored in our 2-1 win."

Now he just wants to get on the scoresheet for the Kingz. Though rueing a couple of missed chances against Souths - "the paint is still on the ball, that's how close it was" - Markovski is confident the goals are not far away.

"Sure, I'm disappointed I did not score, but I was waiting to get cleaned out from behind and muffed the chance," he said.

After his first experience of playing alongside Rufer, the Oceania player of the century, Markovski could not be more impressed.

"Wynton Rufer is real quality, a different class. I can't wait to play with him again," he said.

They should get that chance tonight when the Kingz play Marconi Stallions (kick-off 10 NZ time).

With only 16 players available, Petersen has few options.

Gerard Davis, Che Bunce and Con Boutsianis are out of the reckoning for various reasons, and with Petersen's decision to take just one goalkeeper, James Bannatyne, midfielder George Goutzioulis will stay home.

It is a game the Kingz will be desperate to win and give their season a decent kick-start after the loss to Brisbane and the 0-0 draw with South Melbourne.

Marconi are struggling at the foot of the table and must already shape as a team the Kingz must beat.