Soccer: Chilean will lead Kingz

By TERRY MADDAFORD

A proud Aaron Silva will lead the Football Kingz in tomorrow night's game against the Chilean Olympic soccer team at Ericsson Stadium.

The 25-year-old striker will call his parents in Santiago some time today to tell them he is captain of his adopted team against his own country - six years after he played internationally for the Chile under-20 side.

"I'm very happy," said Silva, who will also spearhead the Kingz attack alongside Paul Urlovic and player/coach Wynton Rufer. "I just hope there is not too much pressure. It is a very important game for me and the Kingz.

"I have played with and against some of the players who are coming here so being captain is a responsibility. I have been captain before both at my club and in one year at college when we were the champions."

Silva has returned to Auckland after taking a holiday at the end of his first season with the Kingz.

"It was good to have a break and do a little bit of training back in Chile," said Silva, who this time has the added responsibility of acting as interpreter for new Kingz goalkeeper Julio Cuello who, as an Argentine, speaks Spanish. "I'm teaching Julio English - but mine is not very good."

Silva hinted that David Moya, who was with the Kingz last season but on the not wanted list this time, might return to New Zealand next year to play in the national league.

Assistant coach Shane Rufer said that while the reins have been handed to Silva for tomorrow night's game, Harry Ngata would be at the helm once the National Soccer League season kicked off.

"We are looking forward to the game but it will not be easy against a team only days out from the Olympics," he said.

"We have a few problems but will be putting out our best possible team."

Fred De Jong, Mark Elrick and Noah Hickey are ineligible as they will remain Central United players until after Saturday's Chatham Cup final. Jeff Campbell and Leigh Kenyon have, however, returned to the Kingz after finishing their season with University/Mt Wellington.

Rufer has other concerns, though, with Riki van Steeden sidelined with blood poisoning, Che Bunce likely to need another four weeks to get over a groin injury, while German striker Dennis Ibrahim still has not kicked a ball for his new club. He has had two cortisone injections to aid his recovery from an ankle injury.