Soccer: On a roll with nothing to lose - or gain

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Heartened by their best performance of the season, the Football Kingz make their last transtasman crossing this morning to play Northern Spirit in Sydney tonight.

Unlike last Saturday at Ericsson Stadium, when the Kingz beat top six contender South Melbourne 2-0 - a result which might yet cost Souths their place in the play-offs - tonight's game has nothing on it.

Both teams are simply playing out their season.

Because the Northern Spirit's home ground at Pittwater Park is unavailable, tonight's game will be played at Gabbie Stadium.

It is one of four NSL matches being played tonight.

"We are looking forward to the game and with it the chance to build on what we did against South Melbourne," said coach Tommy Mason yesterday.

"We will be looking to do what we did in that game - stay with a similar system and play with the same passion."

Injuries have again disrupted preparation for the match, and recent arrivals Danny Hay and Noah Hickey had to pass late fitness tests before being cleared to travel.

Out from last week's squad with injuries are Paul Harries and Michael Williams. Captain Chris Jackson, cleared after a two-match suspension, is also out with a back injury. Glen Collins and David Rayner have been added to the squad.

Should Mason go with the starting lineup he put out against Souths, only five of the team who started against Northern Spirit in their round six clash will start tonight such has been the change in personnel at the club.

* There were many positives for the New Zealand women's soccer team despite their 2-0 loss to the hosts on the opening day of the Australia Cup tournament in Brisbane.

The New Zealanders used all 18 players in the match, which Australia won with two goals in a five-minute burst midway through the first half.

"Ten players made their debuts," said New Zealand Soccer director of football Paul Smalley who is accompanying the team at the four-team tournament. "We had an average age of just 21 years, which is considerably younger than teams we have put out in recent years.

"For a first-up effort I would give them six, bordering on seven, out of 10. Overall we were pleased with the contribution of all the players."

Kingz squad

To be selected from: Michael Utting, Tamati Williams, John Tambouras, Jason Rowley, Danny Hay, David Rayner, Mauro Donoso, Jeremy Christie, Glen Collins, Mark Burton, Jeff Campbell, Craig Wylie, Noah Hickey, Harry Ngata, Tallan Martin.