Soccer: Kingz need someone to turn chances into goals

By BOB PEARCE

Wanted: one player who can convert opportunities into goals. Apply to Ken Dugdale, Kingz coach.

As he prepares his team for the game against Adelaide City Force in New Plymouth tonight, Dugdale is philosophical about the goal drought in which his team has scored only once in their last four games.

"We haven't scored as many goals as we should have. But I firmly believe we're good enough to be in the top six," he said yesterday.

"We do create a lot of chances, but we haven't converted them into goals. What we need is that one special player who can score 15 or 20 goals a year."

The Kingz are still without their best playmaker, Patricio Almendra, suspended for the red card he received in the game against Wollongong.

Fellow Chilean Mauro Donoso, who made a promising debut last week in the 1-0 loss to the Olympic Sharks in Sydney, will again be in the defence.

And Con Anthopoulos, another defender who joined the Kingz on trial this week, has been named in the starting line-up.

Missing from the squad taken to Sydney are Jeff Campbell and Paul Urlovic, so the pressure will remain on Andy Vlahos, Harry Ngata and James Pritchett to get the ball in the net.

Pritchett has been one of the season's successes.

The youngster, who operates on the wide right-side of the field, has speed, control and has earned respect for his work rate.

Assistant coach Stu Jacobs understands why the fans are impatient for goals, but says it is not for want of trying.

"The guys have worked really hard," he said. "We need to win five of our last eight to get into the playoffs, and this would be a good time to start.

"Adelaide are beatable and getting to a new venue may just give the guys a lift."

Adelaide are sixth on the NSL table with 22 points, four places and five points ahead of the Kingz.

When the teams met in Australia on October 27, Adelaide won 2-1. Last weekend Adelaide beat Brisbane 1-0.

Last week the Kingz had to cope with a strong wind and an unsatisfactory surface at Toyota Park. Tonight Yarrow Stadium, which has been used for cricket, should provide a perfect surface. Kickoff is at 8 pm.

Kingz: Michael Utting, Jonathan Perry, Hiroshi Miyazawa, Con Anthopoulos, Mauro Donoso, James Pritchett, Raf de Gregorio, Chris Jackson, Mark Atkinson, Andy Vlahos, Harry Ngata. Substitutes: James Bannatyne, Jonathon Taylor, Steven Turner, Mark Beldham.