Soccer: Kingz need Urlovic to reach his target

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Paul Urlovic hopes his goal-scoring start to the new Australian National League season is not followed by last season's pattern.

With two goals from three games, Urlovic is the Football Kingz' leading goal-grabber and in equal second place on the NSL scoring chart.

It is the same start he enjoyed last season.

But things then turned sour, with injury curtailing his appearances mid-season and eventually leaving him with just five goals from 21 outings.

"I would love to score a goal a game. More realistically, I would be happy with somewhere between 15 and 20," said 22-year-old Urlovic, who is now in his third NSL season, the second with the Kingz after his debut with Melbourne Knights.

"A striker needs to be consistent for the team to do well."

And that, as the fans are quick to tell you, is not the story of their season thus far.

Beaten twice away and with their only point from a scoreless home draw, the Kingz need to get things started.

Urlovic and Andy Vlahos, who has the same attacking responsibility on the opposite flank, can hardly be blamed for the Kingz' shaky start.

The attacking duo have toiled tirelessly, but much of their good work has, in the end, counted for nought.

Urlovic scored the season opener against the Brisbane Strikers in the 2-1 loss, then bagged the first in the 5-3 defeat at Marconi last Friday night.

The success of the 4-3-3 formation the Kingz have adopted depends on the finishing ability of John Markovski or Wynton Rufer - whichever of the two senior players has the central striking role.

Markovski was a late addition to the Kingz squad. He has yet to reach full fitness - although he scored a fine goal direct from a free kick late in the loss to Marconi - and once that happens, Urlovic is confident the goals will come.

Urlovic and Vlahos lack the height and presence of Markovski and Rufer, but make up for that with mobility and ability to run at, and beat, opponents.

"Playing 4-3-3 took a little while to get used to," Urlovic said.

"I got a lot more ball out wide in the first two games but [coach] Mike Petersen changed things for the first half against Marconi and it did not work as well."

Urlovic played wide at times under the Rufers last season, but often as part of a five-strong midfield which did not afford the same attacking opportunities.

Urlovic, who has fallen from favour at times during his promising career, enjoys the environment of the professional game.

"Being fulltime gives you the time to do things properly," said Urlovic, who first kicked a ball at the West Auckland club before spending time at Green Bay Titirangi and then Central United.

Always one to enjoy his time off the field - the team pen pictures say of Urlovic: "his is the best place to go for a barbecue and his favourite lamb on the spit" - "Pavo" never turns down the chance for a game of cards.

"Sure, I have a social life but as a professional, you have to know your limits," said Urlovic, who admits he does his share in the city apartment he shares with his girlfriend.

"She works fulltime, so I do a fair bit of the housework and the shopping."

Right now, and starting with Friday night's game against league leaders Perth Glory at North Harbour Stadium, he wants to grab some more goals and help to give the Kingz season the kick-start the club desperately need.

With goalscoring pacesetter Damian Mori (with four) in the Perth lineup, he needs no other incentive to maintain his scoring touch.