Soccer: Dugdale plays down injuries

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Football Kingz coach Ken Dugdale was playing down a likely change to his strikeforce ahead of tomorrow night's away game against Sydney United.

Chilean striker Patricio Almendra was named in the squad but will need to pass a fitness before taking his place.

If he is found not recovered from a knee injury, Harry Ngata, himself back from injury, appears to be a ready-made substitute.

Dugdale remains hopeful Almendra will play but will not be too concerned if there is a swap.

James Pritchett is definitely out as he struggles with a recurring hamstring injury.

"The boy wants to play but the injury needs time," said Dugdale. "He has to be patient."

In Mark Atkinson, Dugdale had a solid replacement [for Pritchett] especially with the form he showed in the win over Newcastle.

There remain attacking concerns, however.

Paul Urlovic has yet to show the consistency Dugdale wants.

"He had a good opportunity to really seal his place against South Melbourne and put the acid on Harry [Ngata]. If Almendra does not play in Sydney he might get another chance. He has to perform - and score."

It was the lack of goals in the 3-0 loss to South Melbourne that frustrated Dugdale after his team had created their own piece of history in scoring three successive wins before falling in Melbourne.

"They scored three goals. We did not take our opportunities," said Dugdale in a simple summation.

"We did not defend well at times and were exposed in certain areas. Having said that, we dominated for long periods. That's football."

Sydney United will be a difficult opponent. Beaten in their last three outings - in which they have conceded 10 goals - they will be aiming to bounce back against a team four places but only one point higher on the NSL ladder.

"There is no room for anything but 100 per cent," said Dugdale. "We are going into every game as though it was a team like Perth on the other side of the halfway line. We have to treat every game like a cup final.

"If they don't they will come up short."

After an early morning flight for tomorrow night's game, and a trip home on Monday morning, the Kingz will be flying back across the Tasman on Wednesday for Saturday's game in Perth.

Football Kingz (from):

Michael Utting, James Bannatyne, Jonathan Perry, Darren Young, Hiroshi Miyazawa, Jonathon Taylor, Mark Atkinson, Chris Jackson, Steven Turner, Mark Burton, Raf de Gregorio, Jeff Campbell, Andy Vlahos, Patricio Almendra, Paul Urlovic, Harry Ngata.