Soccer: Draw kicks Kingz' confidence up for Newcastle

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The Football Kingz players had a spring in their step yesterday as they headed from Brisbane to Newcastle for their second NSL game in 48 hours.

Encouraged by their come-from-behind 1-1 draw with Brisbane Strikers on Wednesday night, coach Tommy Mason and his players are looking forward to what promises to be a tough game tonight against a Newcastle United team who had a bye on Wednesday.

"Their attitude can't be faulted," Mason said before the team's flight and bus trip.

"There are a couple of injuries we need to look at, but hopefully they will be okay."

Aleksander Midtsian will be missing, however. He is back in Auckland after limping off in Brisbane with a suspected medial ligament problem. Chad Coombes has flown over to join the team.

"Against the Strikers we were a bit tentative to start with," Mason said. "We conceded an early goal when we were caught out. But the players came right after 15 minutes.

"Jason Rowley scored his second goal of the season to get us back to 1-1. Chris Jackson bent one in towards the far post, and Rowley had a shot that was blocked by the keeper.

"To his credit, Jason followed up to pounce on the rebound and score.

"They ran their hearts out. Then the referee, for some reason, added seven or eight minutes on when the guys were really struggling.

"They defended magnificently, putting their heads, legs and bodies on the line to keep out six or seven corners," Mason said.

"It was not the most spectacular match, but it was a good point. They will take a bit more confidence into the next game, for sure.

"We see every game as the chance to restart our season. At least that result has kept me in the job for another week."

Mason will name his team for tonight (9.30 kick-off, NZ time) after checks on wounded Michael Utting (foot), John Tambouras (head) and Mauro Donoso (calf).

Provided they are fit, Mason could again put out Utting, Glen Collins, Tambouras, Espen Schjerven, Rowley, Jackson, Mark Burton, Donoso, Jeff Campbell (who replaced Midtsian), Mark Beldham and Harry Ngata.

In the only other change on Wednesday night, Tallan Martin replaced Ngata with 15 minutes to play.