Soccer: Kingz pay price for hesitancy

By RERRY MADDAFORD

Sparked by two goals from captain Paul Trimboli in his 430th NSL outing, South Melbourne were in no mood to hand the Football Kingz any Christmas cheer at Bob Jane Stadium last night.

The 3-0 win by the home side ended the Kingz' winning streak and gave the Auckland-based club plenty to contemplate before their next game at the end of the month.

After dominating the early exchanges, the Kingz switched off, the home side picked up the pace and took the lead with two goals in seven minutes.

Both followed defensive hesitancy from a rearguard which had given up an average of just a goal a game in 11, and none in their previous two outings.

Had they taken their half-chances, the Kingz would have been right in it. They forced six corners to one in the first half.

But their set play was again woeful.On the other hand, the home side were a little lucky to get through the first 27 minutes with a full complement.

Referee Brett Hugo could well have picked red rather than yellow in booking Patrick Kisnorbo - his fifth of the season - for a foul on Andy Vlahos and Robert Liparoti when he held back and then tripped Paul Urlovic.

But riding their good fortune, Souths, despite losing top striker Vaughan Coveny to injury and being well behind on possession, went ahead in the 23rd minute.

Steven Turner, playing instead of suspended captain Chris Jackson, gave the ball away and then conceded a soft free-kick outside the Kingz penalty area.

Zeljko Susa sized up the defensive wall and promptly curled a left-foot shot on to the inside of the post. The ricochet gave goalkeeper Michael Utting no hope.

The home side doubled their score seven minutes later when the defence was again beaten. Turner failed to cut out the ball which fell to Trimboli, who blasted home his second of the season.

Flagging in the heat, the Kingz appeared to lose concentration - and a couple of chances to close the gap.

Vlahos was put clear, but shot straight at goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic. Then, in added time at the end of the spell, Urlovic was on the end of a well-constructed move but had his attempt blocked by Galekovic.

Sparked by an improved showing from Mark Burton, the Kingz applied the pressure early in the second half, but again were let down by some ordinary finishing, with Vlahos again off target in his search for his first goal of the season.

After dominating, the Kingz were hit hard in the 75th minute. Failing to cut out a ball to unmarked Trimboli, the veteran hit home for 3-0.

Three minutes later the Kingz blew it again when Patricio Alemendra missed a penalty and a second attempt from the rebound.