Soccer: Punt has Kingz cursing what might have been

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The Football Kingz gambled and lost, going down 0-1 to Adelaide City Force in their National Soccer league clash at Ericsson Stadium last night.

The loss ended the Kingz' unbeaten run in this season's home games and left some disappointed players contemplating what might have been.

In going with a three-man attack of Paul Urlovic, Dennis Ibrahim and Tim Stevens with the support of Arran Lines and just-cleared Mark Burton, Kingz coaches Wynton and Shane Rufer showed their attacking hand.

On paper it was arguably the strongest starting line-up yet by the Kingz but they had not counted on such a resolute defensive effort from the visitors.

The Force defence, well-led by young sweeper Ante Kovacevic, found few terrors in the Kingz attack, even though the home side enjoyed a healthy possession advantage.

With Burton showing his class as the midfield general, the Kingz promised much but apart from a pin-point Urlovic header from a 14th minute Lines' cross - tipped over the crossbar by Adrian Cagalj - they had little to show from a disappointing first-half effort.

The visitors had a handful of half chances - the best a 21st minute shot from Scott Tunbridge which goalkeeper Chris Marsh did well to drop on and smother - but their finishing was rarely direct enough to threaten.

The Kingz replaced a struggling Riki Van Steeden at halftime with the more adventuresome Jeff Campbell. The transformation was quickly obvious as the home side pressed forward, creating three chances in the opening four minutes but again without going close to beating the resolute defence.

Ibrahim went closest with a header from a well-directed Campbell cross to the far post but was just wide.

Urlovic tested Cagalj with a couple of well-struck freekicks but until a desperate late charge, the Kingz rarely looked like taking anything from their season's fifth outing.

The impasse was broken in the 71st minute when the Kingz were punished for some sloppy defending.

Nick Sabljak sent a long cross to Gianluca Lagati. He controlled well and then beat Marsh from close range without any real challenge.

In added time - and more than seven minutes were taken up with injuries to Burton, Lines, Lagati and Stevens - Stevens pounced on a loose ball in front of goal but snapped his attempt over the top.

With Carl Veart - in his 200th NSL game - marshalling the City effort they were under little pressure.

By taking their opportunities, and despite being on the wrong end of the corner and freekick count, the visitors deserved their win which allowed them to join the Kingz on six points in the middle of the table.