Soccer: Levent looks toward his ton

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Levent Osman was in no hurry to join the exodus of fellow Australians Dino Menillo, Marcus Stergiopulous and Robbie Middleby during or after the Football Kingz' first Australian National Soccer League season.

Instead, he reflected on what he had achieved and what he could do by signing on for a further two years, hoping further seasons with the Auckland-based club could be the springboard to something better.

"If I had tossed it in here and gone somewhere else it would have meant three clubs in three years," said Osman, who will play his 94th NSL game against Northern Spirit in Sydney tonight.

While coach Shane Rufer will not name the starting line-up until an hour or so before the game, Osman is certain to retain his place alongside Chris Jackson and Riki Van Steeden in the three-man defence.

They are also likely to have Argentine goalkeeper Julio Cuello behind them, with newcomer Simon Eaddy on the substitutes' bench.

Mark Burton has yet to be cleared from Germany and will miss the game, as will German midfielder Andy Bluhm, who is awaiting the birth of his first child.

Captain Harry Ngata has decided to travel, but hopes he will be back in time to be with his partner for the birth of their first child.

Aaron Silva has been dropped, leaving Paul Urlovic and Tim Stevens to spearhead the attack, with the likely back-up from Dennis Ibrahim, who could be joined on the bench by Gerard Davis and Jeff Campbell, with Lee Jones starting in the midfield.

Rufer said the game promised to be a tough test against a team "with experience and class all over the pitch."

Former Socceroos Graham Arnold and Robbie Slater are always a danger and will spark a Northern Spirit side who have had a win, draw and loss in their three outings.

Osman is looking forward to the game and the rest of the season.

"The second season with the Kingz is, I believe, my chance to stand out and show what I can do.

"If the Kingz makes the finals - and I'm confident we can do that - then there is a good chance that scouts from other countries will see me. That could well be my route back to Europe."

Born in Melbourne to Cypriot parents, 23-year-old Osman has already had a trial with a second-division club in Germany and also had the chance to join English club Sunderland, but ran into visa problems.

It was after Kingz' player-coach Wynton Rufer spoke to football people in Germany that Osman was offered his initial one-year contract.

"I already feel I'm playing better this season. I am more comfortable at sweeper after turning out much of last season in the midfield. Sweeper is my No 1 choice.

"I think we can beat any team in the league. We do not look too far ahead but I'm sure on our day we can beat all the other teams," said Osman, who had his first professional outing for Gippsland Falcons (now Eastern Pride) after playing his early football with St Albans and Albion in Melbourne.

A product of the Victorian and then Australian Institutes of Sport, Osman was on the fringe of selection in Australian under-20 and under-23 teams.

After missing the first game of the 2000-2001 season - the away loss to Sydney Olympic - Osman has played in the Kingz' two home wins, including the success over Eastern Pride.

"It was a difficult first season but I'm more settled now," Osman said.

"I'm looking forward to a good second season."

And his milestone 100th league outing.

Kingz squad: Julio Cuello, Simon Eaddy, Chris Jackson, Levent Osman, Riki Van Steeden, Jonathan Perry, Harry Ngata, Lee Jones, Ivan Vicelich, Aaran Lines, Tim Stevens, Paul Urlovic, Dennis Ibrahim, Jeff Campbell, Gerrard Davis.