Soccer: As good as it gets for new Kingz coach

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Coach Mike Petersen sits back, lets the sand run through his toes and admits, yes, life on this side of the Tasman is not bad.

Sitting at Long Bay on Auckland's North Shore waiting for the Football Kingz players to jog back along the beach after a "recovery session" with trainer Darren Welch, Petersen wryly contemplates the twist his fledgling National Soccer League coaching career has taken.

"Even six months ago I would have never thought about such a change," he says.

"I was in a comfort zone; I had taken South Melbourne to the grand final in my first season as coach.

"It was the club I had been with virtually all my life. Then out of the blue came this offer from the Kingz.

"It was nice to feel wanted. It didn't take much to persuade me to come."

In a sport where honesty has not always been a strong trait, Petersen, a 51-match Socceroo veteran, comes across as someone who genuinely loves his football and wants to do the best for his players.

"I feel I'm honest. I made a few mistakes at Souths, but I see this season as the opportunity to step up.

"A week out from the first game of a new season there is definitely a feeling of anticipation. The pressure is different, but I'm excited to be representing the country.

"I see sport as a marvellous place to spend your life. I feel blessed I have that opportunity."

Unlike some coaches who see sideline ranting as part of the game, Petersen prefers a more analytical approach.

"When I'm on the bench I see that as part of the learning curve. I'm a student of the game. Yelling and screaming helps no one."

He is comfortable with his lot.

"You don't know what to expect when you inherit a squad like this. What I quickly found was a work ethic more solid than we had at South Melbourne. I mean that sincerely - the guys have been great in the way they have accepted us."

There is, he says, no problem in having the player/coaches of the past two seasons, Wynton and Shane Rufer, as part of the set-up.

"It is a pleasure to have them on board. There are no egos involved here. Like them, I just want to see New Zealand football improve.

"I want the Kingz shirt to mean something to all the players. Opportunities come in all forms.

"I remember a time when one day I was playing in the reserves. My next game was in front of a crowd of 50,000. It was simply a case of taking an opportunity that came my way."

Petersen, like many outstanding coaches, insists that football is a simple game.

"But you can be simple and entertaining at the same time. It is a case of getting 11 players to understand what you want to achieve and how you want to go about it."

He says the fans must be patient.

"This is the third season for the Kingz and, I feel, it is the most open competition since I was first involved in 1983."

While some question the signing of 31-year-old John Markovski at a time when young New Zealanders are being snapped up by Australian clubs, Petersen is sure the former Socceroo can do the job.

"I know he is excited at the challenge. He has played at the Olympics, won a championship and been in a grand final."

Petersen cannot wait to take his team to Brisbane for Friday night's season opener.

His aim for the season is to better the eighth finish the Kingz managed in their first two years.