Soccer: Rufer to miss Kingz' opener

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Wynton Rufer will miss the Football Kingz' first warm-up game of the new season at Rotorua's International Stadium tonight.

Player-coach Rufer admits he "got carried away" in training last week and has a niggle after straining a thigh muscle.

"I should only be training once a day but was enjoying it so much I trained twice a day last week," he said. "It was too much."

Also missing from tonight's game against a local selection will be Riki Van Steden, who is in hospital with blood poisoning after receiving a knock in training, import Dennis Ibrahim, who has an ankle problem, and Che Bunce, who needs a couple of weeks to overcome a groin injury.

Rufer sees tonight's game as an opportunity to give as many players as possible game time.

"The time we have had here in Rotorua has been a good team-building exercise," said Rufer. "Everybody is looking good. The result is not important but doing things well is."

The club is already looking ahead to Saturday night's game at the same venue against NSL rivals Northern Spirit and the September 8 clash with the Olympic-bound Chileans at Ericsson Stadium.

"If [Chile] played in the NSL they would probably win it," said Rufer. "We have to hope that with a player like Inter Milan's Ivan Zamorano in the side, the public will turn out to watch. His presence should ensure a crowd of 10,000."

Kingz general manager Chris Turner last night confirmed that Zamorano plus other stars Nelson Tapia and Pedro Reyes will be here as their over-age players. All three were in the Chile World Cup squad in France two years ago.

"Seven of the players coming here played for Chile in their recent 3-0 win over Brazil in a World Cup qualifier," said Turner.

The game, under lights, will be a dream come true for Kingz' Chilean striker Aaron Silva, who gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play against his countrymen.

Also likely to be in the Kingz side is Adelaide defender Michael Cartwright, who is set to sign once contract details have been finalised.