Soccer: Kingz escape with rookie goalkeeper

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Michael Utting's first-half injury and the need to play outfielder Marcus Stergiopoulos in goal for the remaining 45 minutes of their away game against the Adelaide Force has strengthened the Football Kingz argument for an extra substitute in Australian Soccer League games.

Utting was injured on Friday night in his unsuccessful attempt to keep out a shot from Claudio Pelosi in injury time at the end of the first spell.

Reserve keeper Jason Batty was left sitting in the stand and unable to help because of the three-substitute rule, so Stergiopoulos volunteered to don the gloves.

He had his moments, and in the end happily joined his team-mates in celebrating a much-needed return to the winners' circle.

"It was good to get the points," said Kingz player-coach Wynton Rufer. "Fortunately losing Michael Utting did not cost us, but the three-substitute rule is ridiculous. Luckily they did not test Marcus."

There were other problems for Rufer.

Newcomer Aaran Lines limped off with a knee injury; Che Bunce, back from suspension, tweaked a hamstring; Utting has dislocated his shoulder and is likely to be out for a month; and Levent Osman copped a one-match ban for handling the ball.

"We could have up to four new players for Friday night's game," said Rufer. "The Chileans could be back in the picture. We will just have to wait and see how Lines and Bunce recover."

Rufer played the last 30 minutes against the Force but said the situation cried out for a player to "work and run," which is hardly the role he is equipped for in his on-going battle to regain full fitness.

"Again, it comes down to the restriction on the number of substitutes," said Rufer.

Fred de Jong gave the Kingz their 29th-minute lead, but the home side were level after Pelosi's first goal in the dying seconds of the first spell. Stu Riddle had the Kingz back in front early in the second spell before Chris Jackson's superb 71st-minute long-range strike made it 3-1.

Pelosi got one back with his late penalty after Osman had handled.

The Kingz meet Gippsland Falcons at North Harbour Stadium on Friday night.