Soccer: Chance for Chilean as more defenders quit

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Nick Haig and John Foundoulakis have joined Paul Dempsey in packing it in at the Football Kingz.

The departure of the defensive trio has opened the way for the club to bring in Chilean defender Mauro Donoso, who had his first run with his new team against Auckland's Central United at Ericsson Stadium last night.

With the purse strings loosened slightly, chief executive Chris Turner said coach Ken Dugdale "might be able to look at doing something for Steven Turner and James Pritchett."

Midfielder Turner and midfielder/defender Pritchett are on performance-based contracts.

Chris Turner said that while Dempsey was on a fulltime contract, Foundoulakis was on fulltime wages but under a three-month contract.

Haig was on a three-month trial.

"Nick was unhappy at not getting any football," Chris Turner said.

"He felt he had more chance of playing by returning to the States."

Foundoulakis had been sidelined with injury for three or four weeks and asked to be released so he could attend to some personal issues in Greece.

Turner or Pritchett should see some action away to South Melbourne on Sunday night because captain Chris Jackson will be serving a one-match suspension after copping his fourth booking of the season against high-flyers Newcastle United last week.

Meanwhile, the Kingz' return match against Northern Spirit, scheduled for Ericsson Stadium on December 22, has been postponed and is now likely to be played midweek in early March.

With three players in the Australian under-20 side, the Sydney club have received a dispensation.

After Sunday's away match against South Melbourne, the Kingz will have a fortnight's break before embarking on a tough two-game trip to Australia, playing Sydney United (who are seventh) on Sunday, December 29, and Perth Glory (second) six days later.