Soccer: Plenty of needle likely for Kingz' openers

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The Football Kingz have been handed no favours in the early rounds of their third NSL season.

In the 2001/2002 draw released yesterday, the Kingz have an away game in the opening round against the Brisbane Strikers at Ballymore on October 5, followed by a home match against South Melbourne at Ericsson Stadium.

There is certain to be plenty of feeling in the October 12 clash because minor premiers South Melbourne thrashed the Auckland-based team 6-1 at the same ground in the penultimate game last season to end the Kingz play-off hopes.

In the off-season the Kingz lured South Melbourne coach Mike Petersen and three of his players, Con Boutsianis, Vas Kalogeracos and Andy Vlahos, across the Tasman.

South Melbourne insist there is no ill feeling, but there will, no doubt, be added bite in the Friday night match.

The Kingz then play Marconi in Sydney before their second home game - at North Harbour Stadium - against perennial front-runners Perth Glory.

In their only other game against the West Australians in Auckland - they drew 3-3 with them in Christchurch last season - the Kingz won 4-1 in a game notable for the sending-off of two Perth players.

And it gets no easier for Petersen and his team because their fifth game is away to champions Wollongong Wolves.

The Kingz will play the second of three scheduled games at North Harbour Stadium on November 16 against Canberra Cosmos. The third match at the stadium has yet to be decided.

League general manager Stefan Kamasz yesterday admitted there were "some problems" at Canberra with rumours of financial difficulties, but he hoped they would be resolved. If Canberra drop out, the league will be reduced to 13 teams with a bye each week.

Kingz schedule: Oct 5: v Brisbane (a), 12: v South Melbourne (h), 20: v Marconi (a), 26: v Perth (h), Nov 2: v Wollongong (a), 9: v Sydney United (a), 16: v Canberra (h), 21: v Melbourne Knights (a), 30: v Northern Spirit (h), Dec 8: v Parramatta (a), 14: v Newcastle (h), 21: v Adelaide (a), Jan 4: v Sydney Olympic (h), 11: v Brisbane (h), 20: v South Melbourne (a), 25: Marconi (h), Feb 2: v Perth (a), 8: v Wollongong (h), 15: v Sydney United (h), 22: v Canberra (a), Mar 01: Melbourne Knights (h), 8: v Northern Spirit (a), 15: v Parramatta (h), 22: v Newcastle (a), 29: v Adelaide (h), Apr 7: v Sydney Olympic (a).