Soccer: Rufers' playoff hopes alive

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The Football Kingz' mid-season mini-surge has assistant coach Shane Rufer admitting that he has long held hopes of reaching the Australian National league top-six playoffs.

The battling 1-1 away draw with title contenders Wollongong Wolves on Friday night gave Rufer further hope as they head into another difficult away assignment, against South Melbourne on Sunday.

"It was a good effort," said Rufer. "We could have won, we could have lost. Everyone played well."

After conceding a questionable first-half penalty when Stuart Young fell, Ivan Vicelich snatched a second-half equaliser to grab a well-deserved point.

Rufer again went to the substitutes' bench in a determined effort to snatch victory.

"I tried to win the game," said Rufer referring to the substitute of defender Michael Cartwright by attacking midfielder Harry Ngata. "Harry could have won it for us, so could have Mark Burton as we pressed late in the game. We controlled the second half but could not quite finish it off.

"If we keep playing like that we would deserve to make the playoffs. Our defence, with Sean Douglas, is more settled. They are not making stupid fouls."

Following their game in Melbourne, the Kingz play the first of three home games out of Auckland this season with a January 19 Friday night clash with Sydney United at the WestpacTrust Stadium in Wellington.