Soccer: Rufer to wind up dual role

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Wynton Rufer has spelled it out even before kicking a ball in the 2000-2001 National Soccer League season which now seems certain to include a warm-up match against the Olympic-bound Chileans.

This will be Rufer's second - and last - year as player/coach with the Football Kingz.

Speaking after a training session with the Auckland-based franchise, Rufer said he would not have the problem of sorting out the team for the club's third NSL season.

"This will be my last year," said Rufer. "I'm determined to enjoy it. I am much fitter than I was at this stage last year.

"I'm letting the others do the running around and we're impressed with what they [the other Kingz players] have shown."

Rufer and his brother [and assistant coach] Shane get their first real indication of what they and their loyal fans can expect when they head to Rotorua this morning for two matches.

They will take University/Mt Wellington players Jeff Campbell and Leigh Kenyon with them but it is unlikely that the pair will play as they have yet to re-sign with the club. That will have to wait until after Sunday's Ansett national club championship final against Napier City Rovers at North Harbour Stadium.

The Kingz will kick off their season with a game against a local selection on Wednesday night and fellow NSL club Northern Spirit at Rotorua's International Stadium on Saturday.

That now seems certain to be followed by a one-off clash with the Chilean Olympic [under-23] side at Ericsson Stadium on September 8.

As part of the match agreement, the Chileans must include at least one of their "over age" players in the team to play the Kingz - either Inter Milan star striker and long-time international Ivan Zamorano, or Lazio striker Marcelo Salas, who was a recent $42.8 million signing from top Argentine club River Plate.