Soccer: Kingz refuse to release players

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The Football Kingz have waved the big stick in refusing to release players - including some who have yet to sign with them for next season - for the New Zealand soccer team at next month's Merdeka tournament in Malaysia.

While not disclosing the names of the players, Kingz chairman Chris Turner said there would be no release for those who had signed for the club or had indicated they would.

Jason Batty, Harry Ngata, Chris Jackson and Riki Van Steeden are confirmed Kingz players, having signed two-year contracts at the start of last season.

Turner said another three or four players would also be stopped from going to the Merdeka tournament. There seems to be some doubt over the availability of players such as Ivan Vicelich, Paul Urlovic, Gerard Davis and Jonathan Perry.

Others, who have been linked with the Kingz but apparently are yet to sign, including Jeff Campbell, Noah Hickey and Gareth Rowe, are now likely to hold off until after the August 12 tournament.

All Whites coach Ken Dugdale said having so many players under a selection cloud did not help in his attempt to name a team he feels would be competitive in games against Oman, Ghana and Malaysia.

Given the Kingz' stand, Dugdale will have to cast the net far and wide in selecting the 18 players he and assistant coach Mick Waitt will take to Kuala Lumpur.

With that uncertainty, Dugdale will obviously grab the opportunity to recall Ryan Nelsen and Chris Zoricich who missed last month's Nations Cup in Tahiti through injury.

Scott Smith, a lynchpin of the All Whites defence in Tahiti, seems set to hold his place, while another defender, uncapped Adrian Sutton - playing state league in Perth - is another possibility.

With Batty unavailable, Ross Nicholson is ready to take over as first-choice goalkeeper.

His understudy is likely to be in-form University/Mt Wellington custodian Simon Eaddy or Jim Bannatyne, who was a member of the previous Olympic squad. He has since had trials with Bristol City and West Ham and is now at Glenfield Rovers.

"You always want to put out the best players," Dugdale said. "There are times when you have to step back and recognise the need to rest some. They can't be expected to play 12 months a year. While that can be frustrating at times, it also gives you the opportunity to look at younger players.

"While next year's World Cup qualifiers are the most important [short-term] target for the All Whites, we have to remember that some are unlikely to play beyond that. We need to start looking at replacements for players like Zoricich, [Mark] Atkinson, [Sean] Douglas, Batty, [Vaughn] Coveny and Jackson who are all close to or over 30.

"The [New Zealand Soccer] board has already said the 2006 World Cup remains the main objective," Dugdale said. "We have to bear that in mind and start looking at players coming through.

"When we get an invitation like we have for Merdeka, we have to look at it and decide where we are headed and who should we pick. Just because some players might not be available, we can't panic. We must look to bring in players progressively.

"The under-23 players proved they are a good team with their efforts against South Africa in the Olympic qualifiers. Some are obviously ready to step up."

Dugdale insists there must be a balance in accepting tournaments like Merdeka, and going with a below-full-strength team. It would help if Dugdale could count on the cooperation of all involved to ensure he can at least put out the team he wants.