Soccer: Knights happy to accept Xmas bonus

It was not as good as their recent effort against Melbourne Victory when they came up empty, but the New Zealand Knights happily accepted the point they snared in the 1-1 draw with Queensland Roar at Suncorp Stadium.

The point, the first for the Knights since their round three win away to Central Coast, was a welcome mini-boost as they head into the three-week break before returning for a 16th-round clash against the Dwight Yorke-inspired Sydney FC at North Harbour Stadium on December 30.

"They worked very hard," said Knights coach John Adshead. "It was bloody hot."

So hot that defender Frank van Eijs collapsed in the dressing room at halftime and did not return for the second spell.

He was later checked by a couple of doctors and needed a clearance before joining yesterday's flight home.

"He could not walk out of the dressing room at the break," said Adshead.

"He told us he could hear the players around him but could not see them."

The match statistics told one story, the scoreboard another as the Knights continued their improved run which has seen them go under by the odd goal to Adelaide United (away), Melbourne Victory (home) and now draw with Queensland (away).

The Roar had 27 attempts on goal to seven by the Knights.

The home team had 16 on target to four, and Knights goalkeeper Danny Milosevic made seven saves to two. The home team forced eight corners - double the Knights - and had 55 per cent of the possession.

"Stats are just stats," said Adshead. "They don't tell the complete story.

"I thought we defended really well as a team. I'm not ashamed to accept a bit of luck but we did work hard.

"Darren Bazeley was Captain Courageous at the back and led by example."

In not taking their expected three points, Queensland may well have put a play-off spot in jeopardy.

Royce Brownlie, who came into the home side in place of suspended Michael Baird, opened the scoring in the 30th minute when he got goal-side of Van Eijs to superbly nod home a near-post Alex Brosque cross.

In a game which rarely flowed as referee James Lewis did his best to whistle any life out of it - he pinged the visitors for 25 fouls and seven offsides compared with 11 and one for the Roar - the Knights got back on terms just before the break when Simon Yeo sweetly back-headed a Ben Collett free kick.

The second half was dominated by the home side, but another gritty Knights defensive effort denied them the goal they were so desperately chasing.

"When you look at our last three games there is something of a 'what if' factor," said Adshead.

"We could have won or at least taken a point from them all.

"We know we are off the pace but it is not as black as everyone thinks."

The Knights will now have a break before reassembling on December 12 to prepare for their remaining six matches before their season ends on February 2.