Soccer: Kings' home debut unsure

The Auckland Kings and the Canberra Cosmos continue to stake their claim to host the Australian National Soccer League's (NSL) opening match, adding spice to their clash on October 1.

The NSL were to release a revised season draw yesterday but have delayed it until at least Monday while they work through several issues.

One of them revolves around whether the Kings or the Cosmos will be at home for their first round match, which is likely to be on the opening Friday night.

Both teams have put forward strong cases.

The newly-formed Kings say they were promised a season-opener at North Harbour Stadium as part of negotiations for their entry to the league this year.

They were surprised when a draft draw last month indicated their opening match would be played in Canberra.

Cosmos spokeswoman Cassandra Hampton said that after seeing the draft draw they had begun ticket-selling and promotional arrangements.

"Now suddenly four weeks later Auckland seems to have come up with the idea that they were promised a home game," she said.

"We don't know who made that promise. Is it on paper?

"And if it is, why did the draft draw show something different and why has it taken four weeks for Auckland to take this up with the authorities?"

NSL spokeswoman Jo Schmalfuss admitted both franchises had voiced a strong desire to host the first game but would not indicate which way the NSL draw committee was leaning.

She said the committee had to start from scratch with the draw when the original idea of midweek games was rejected by the clubs last weekend. - NZPA