Soccer: New Kingz signing will go straight into action

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The Football Kingz have wasted no time in pitching All Whites defender Sean Douglas into action.

Signed by the club yesterday after confirmation that his old club, Melbourne-based Carlton, have had their National Soccer League licence cancelled, Douglas will play against Parramatta Power at Ericsson Stadium tonight.

In a straight swap, Douglas will replace Riki Van Steeden in the defence, playing alongside Levent Osman and Michael Cartwright.

"That will probably be the only change from the team who started against Brisbane last week," said Kingz assistant coach Shane Rufer. "We have been criticised at times for making changes but we are sticking with the players who did the job for us last week.

"That was a good effort in Brisbane. It was a very physical game although people watching the game on television might not have been aware of that.

"There was a lot of off-the-ball stuff and plenty of niggle," said Rufer. "Parramatta are going to be tough. They have won three and drawn one of their last four games while we haven't won since the third round. They are a big side, so it will not be easy, but it's the chance for us to get something going.

"Having Sean Douglas will obviously help. Hopefully if we get ahead as we have in our last two games, we can hold on and take the points."

It seems certain Wynton Rufer - who has scored in his last two outings - will be joined up front by Mark Burton. Aaron Silva, who scored a hat-trick against Parramatta at North Harbour last season, is likely to be on the substitutes' bench.

If there are no other changes, Jonathan Perry, Ivan Vicelich, Harry Ngata, Andy Bluhm and Arran Lines will start in the midfield.

Parramatta coach David Mitchell, who steered his side to an upset win over Sydney Olympic a couple of weeks ago, is wary of the Kingz.

"The Kingz gave us a hiding last year so we want to make sure it does not happen again. Hopefully we can take the game to the Kingz and get a result," he said.

While the Douglas signing is good news for the Kingz, it also raises questions about the size of their squad.

General manager Chris Turner said that there was no doubt the squad would be reduced for the 2001-2002 season. That is cold comfort for the players, including All Whites, who do not get on to the substitutes' bench let alone the playing field.

Despite an apparently over-stretched budget, Turner admitted that if [All Whites midfielder] Simon Elliott became available, the club would rush to sign him.

Tonight's game, which will feature a presentation to Parramatta captain Alex Tobin to mark his record number of NSL appearances, kicks off at 7.30 pm.