Soccer: Double boost as Kingz look to bounce back

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Determined to cash in on the impetus of the world under-17 soccer championships, the Football Kingz will be flat out to get their Australian National League campaign back on track in Adelaide tonight.

Following back-to-back defeats, their cause has been helped on a couple of fronts.

Their opponents, the Adelaide Force go into the game at Hindmarsh Stadium a point below the Kingz after eight rounds but without two of their stars. Former Socceroos Aurelio Vidmar and Alex Tobin were sent off in last weekend's 1-1 away draw with Newcastle Breakers and will serve a mandatory one-match suspension.

They have, however, signed former Glasgow Rangers player Derek Ferguson and included him in the squad for the ninth round clash.

The Kingz finally get the chance to play All Whites midfielder Aaran Lines following his clearance from Germany.

While they turned in one of their better performances last Friday in going down 3-2 to the Northern Spirit, the Kingz were punished for a couple of clumsy defensive errors.

In a change from recent squads, player-coach Wynton Rufer has left Jonathan Perry home. Chileans Aaron Silva and David Moya have also remained in Auckland.

In keeping with the club's practice, goalkeepers Jason Batty and Michael Utting have travelled with Batty likely to get the nod in the 'keeping merry-go-round.

With Lines certain to play a left-side role, Dino Menillo might miss a start tonight but seems certain to take at least some part as will Rufer, who again is likely to come off the bench.

Stu Riddle, who made a reasonable fist up front last week, is set to play a dual striking role with Fred de Jong.

The game starts at 10.30pm (NZ time).