Soccer: Dugdale takes a swing at Kingz' men over Batty

By TERRY MADDAFORD

All Whites coach Ken Dugdale yesterday hit out at the Football Kingz management.

"What's going on?" said Dugdale in response to the news that Jason Batty has followed Chris Jackson in finding himself on the outer.

"From the outset the Kingz said they are there for the development of New Zealand soccer and in particular Kiwi players. That, certainly, is no longer ringing true."

Batty was told on Friday he was no longer in consideration for the Kingz despite having the second year of his two-year contract to run.

He will be given a letter this morning setting out the club's position and making it clear that he is no longer wanted, even at training.

"Decisions like this are going to impact on everybody," said Dugdale from Kuala Lumpur, where he is with the New Zealand team for the Merdeka tournament.

"They have now cost me two All Whites, as it would be impossible for me to pick either Batty or Jackson if they are not playing.

"How many other players are going to be affected in this way?

'They [Wynton Rufer and Chris Turner] have to be shown up for what they are in making such decisions.

"The Kingz would not release their players, including Batty, to play here yet they turn around and do this. How come when we sat down to discuss player availability it was [assistant coach] Shane, not Wynton, who met me, and Batty was not mentioned?"

Shane Rufer said yesterday: "We have made a decision and we are going to stick with that."

Asked if the decision to play new Argentine goalkeeper Julio Cuello ahead of Batty was made on playing ability only, Rufer said: "Yes."

The Kingz had their first training session yesterday ahead of their mid-October NSL kickoff. Adelaide Force defender Michael Cartwright arrived yesterday and will begin a two-week trial with the club today.

Dugdale, while disappointed with the 0-0 score with Malaysia in the opening match at the Merdeka tournament, said he was happy with the All Whites' performance.

"Our goalkeeper Ross Nicholson had no saves to make while we did create some but didn't put them away," said Dugdale. "This is a different New Zealand team with a young strikeforce. We can take some heart from it."

Dugdale said he still fancied his team's chances of winning the tournament. In the other game yesterday, Oman beat Malaysia under-22 1-0.

The All Whites play the Malaysians in their second game tomorrow night.