Soccer: Kingz pin hopes on newcomers

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Coach Ken Dugdale is looking to his new arrivals to spark life into the Football Kingz when they kick off their fifth Australian National League season tomorrow against Newcastle United at Ericsson Stadium.

"We have a number of new faces who want to do something," said Dugdale, who has an almost 50-50 split of old and new in his 23-strong squad.

"But it has been hard to get a line on just how well we can do.

"In the pre-season games, played on a limited budget, we have done the best we can. It has usually been pretty even for the first 20 minutes, but after that we haven't been put under much pressure."

There is one statistic which Dugdale and the faithful will be hoping does not return to haunt the side this season.

In one pre-season outing, against an Invitation X1 in Wanganui, the Kingz had 20 shots and 15 corners, but came away with just a single-goal victory. Since then there have been personnel changes.

"Tallan Martin looks a good player and Paul Harries has the pedigree to suggest he, too, can do a job for us up front," Dugdale said.

Unlike last season, when target man Harry Ngata was left to carry the goal-scoring load, Dugdale has potential strikers in Norwegian Aleksander Midtsian, two Australians - Paul Harries and Tallen Martin - Brad Scott, Mark Beldham and recent signing Campbell Banks.

Norwegian Espen Schjerven, who arrived yesterday and signed as a defender, can also, according to Dugdale, score goals.

"If we hit our straps I'm sure we are capable of surprising a few teams."

Injuries have hindered some of the pre-season work, but Dugdale expects most players to be fit for selection tomorrow. However, he is almost certain to again be without midfielder Mark Burton.

Injuries kept the club's highest-paid player on the sideline for much of last season. It may be the case again this time, as Burton heads into the third and final year of his lucrative contract.

Dugdale has taken heart from the early-season efforts of younger internationals Glen Collins, David Rayner, Jason Rowley and Jeremy Christie.

Collins has been particularly impressive and could join Australian John Tambouras as part of a likely three-man defence.

Chilean defender Mauro Donoso has also done well over the winter, but is nursing a minor injury and might miss this one.

Goalkeeper Michael Utting has also been hampered in pre-season, but could be ready to play ahead of new signing Ross Nicholson.

Newcastle have lost striker Joel Griffiths, to Switzerland, leaving coach Ian Crook with a king-sized headache.

Griffiths, second behind Perth's Damian Mori on last season's goalscoring list, is one of 10 players, including All Whites captain Chris Zoricich, to leave the club.

"The pre-season has gone well," said Crook, who will look to Fijian captain Esala Masi and Griffiths' younger brother Ryan to take the attacking responsibility. "The top six is our aim."

Tomorrow's game, with the earlier start of 12.15pm, will be refereed by Derek Rugg, the only New Zealander on this year's 14-strong panel.