Soccer: Brisbane run good omen for Kingz

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The Football Kingz have a piece of history on their side as they head into tonight's game in Brisbane - but they also have one lined up against them.

The Brisbane Strikers are only two matches away from equalling the NSL record for conceding more than a goal a game in consecutive matches.

Beginning with their 2-0 loss to South Melbourne in the first leg of last year's playoffs, the Strikers have let in at least two goals in the nine games since - their longest such streak. The record stands at 12, set in 1998 by former NSL club Canberra Cosmos.

But against the Kingz, Brisbane might fancy their chances of snapping that run.

Not if coach Ken Dugdale has any say.

With a team likely to be restored to full strength with James Pritchett set to return from injury, Dugdale is looking for a second win in as many outings.

"We are not concerned that Brisbane are at the bottom of the table," Dugdale said. "We will treat them the same as we would Perth Glory or Olympic Sharks [the top NSL sides]. In Fernando Rech, they have the second-top goalscorer in the league."

Not in the Kingz favour is their record in the Queensland capital. They have yet to win there.

Up at 4 o'clock for an early-morning flight yesterday, the team have had plenty of time to prepare.

Dugdale has yet to name his starting lineup, but considering the players he has taken, it seems he will stick with his now first-choice defensive trio of Jonathan Perry, Hiroshi Miyazawa and Jonathon Taylor.

In midfield he is likely to go with Pritchett, Chris Jackson, Raf de Gregorio and either Jeff Campbell or Mark Burton, and will again play Patricio Almendra, Harry Ngata and Andy Vlahos up front.

Paul Urlovic, Mark Atkinson, James Bannatyne and either Campbell or Burton should be on the bench.

The Kingz are eighth on the points table with 11, while Brisbane are bottom on four.

The Olympic Sharks head the league with 20.

Meanwhile, yet another call for a revamped league has emerged.

A report from Sydney yesterday suggested Harry Kewell, who plays for Leeds United in England, is amongseveral present and former Socceroos prepared to help bankroll a new-look 10-team league either next season or in 2004.

The call for change follows similar suggestions from the players' association to help to restructure the league and breathe much-needed life into the game as cash-strapped Soccer Australia battles for survival.

Kingz chief executive Chris Turner maintains any change would not affect his club's survival hopes because they have a Fifa-backed licence that insists they be allowed to compete at "the highest competition" in this part of the world.

But for how long?