Soccer: Kingz eye top-three spot

By TERRY MADDAFORD

For the first time since they briefly led the NSL, after their 4-1 second-round win over Northern Spirit, the Football Kingz have the chance to move into the top three.

An away win over South Melbourne on Sunday night would assure the Kingz of third place. They would leapfrog Souths and Newcastle United - whom they beat 2-0 in Auckland last Friday - as United sit out the bye.

As expected, Perth Glory closed to within two points of leaders Olympic Sharks (who had the bye) with a solid 4-1 away win over Melbourne Knights.

With top striker Bobby Despotovski out, his replacement Nick Mrdja grabbed the spotlight.

After falling behind to an 18th-minute Anthony Pelikan penalty, Mrdja equalised for Perth with a great solo run and shot.

In the 33rd minute Mrdja set up Damian Mori for his first goal in four outings.

Mrdja and Mori then combined to set up Bradley Hassell to give Perth a 3-1 halftime lead. Jason Petkovic saved a second Pelikan penalty attempt, but Mori sealed Perth's eighth win of the season in the 81st minute. His second strike took him to the outright lead in the goalscorers' race on nine, one ahead of Newcastle's Joel Griffiths.

The Kingz and Perth have the best defences, having conceded just 11 goals in as many games.

In a major upset, bottom-placed Brisbane Strikers beat South Melbourne 2-1 at Ballymore. The points were the first Brisbane have picked up at home this season. All White striker Vaughan Coveny got Souths' goal.

Parramatta Power made the most of their home advantage in the derby clash with Sydney United, winning 3-0, and Naum Sekulovski's early goal for Wollongong at home to Adelaide gave Wolves their third win of the season.

Marconi and Northern Spirit's game was postponed. The other key game this week is Adelaide at home to the Sharks.