Kingz chances of win are right up in the air

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The vagaries of air travel could have a lot to do with how the Football Kingz fare in tonight's Australian national soccer league clash with Carlton in Melbourne.

The players were up early for a 7.45am flight. Once they arrive their attention will again turn to the skies as they await the arrival of player-coach Wynton Rufer, who faces a 20-hour flight from Germany to Australia.

"We haven't got [suspended striker Fred de Jong] so it is important Wynton gets there," assistant coach Shane Rufer said yesterday.

"Carlton are six points ahead of us. If they stretch that to nine they could get right away and make it very difficult."

It is payback time for the Kingz.

Carlton handed the Auckland-based side a 3-0 drubbing in the first game of the season, their equal-biggest loss in 13 outings.

With de Jong suspended after receiving four bookings, and Lee Jones out after being sent off during Monday's 3-1 win over Canberra, there will be changes. Che Bunce and Riki van Steeden have groin injuries and are struggling.

Aaron Silva, who was brought back for the game at North Harbour Stadium, seems certain to start again and fellow Chilean David Moya, not sighted since the away game against Sydney Olympic at the beginning of November, is getting close to winning a place in the 14-strong squad.

Marcus Stergiopoulos, who missed Monday's game, is back and Mark Elrick, who had his first part game against Canberra, is another likely to see some action in tonight's game, which kicks off at 10.15pm (NZ time).

"We are creating up to 10 chances a game but are only scoring one, two or three," Rufer said.

"And it won't get any easier now the All Whites are being called away. Those players will have four games in nine days, which isn't going to help.

"Having four players on three yellow cards is another complicating factor."

Then there is the Kiwi connection in the Carlton line-up - All Whites Sean Douglas and Mark Atkinson - to overcome.

It promises to be a tough assignment for the Kingz.

Every game is important in the mid-season phase as the race for a top-six finish and a place in the playoffs gets closer.