Soccer: Why Middleby never got into gear for Kingz

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The Robbie Middleby mystery has been solved and for those not too close to the Football Kingz there is some humour in it.

Assistant coach Shane Rufer's cryptic answer to a query on Middleby's whereabouts during the first spell of the Kingz Australian Soccer League game against Sydney Olympic last Sunday puzzled the fans.

But, there was nothing sinister in Middleby's absence. Simply, he arrived at the ground. His playing strip did not.

In a mix-up, Middleby did not hand his gear to team manger Albert Murphy. When he got to the ground and realised he had nothing to play in he hopped in a taxi and went looking.

By the time he returned to the Belmore Sports Ground there was less than five minutes to kick-off and he had to be stood down.

Forgiven, he eventually got some action from the 73rd minute and was on the pitch when the Kingz scored the two goals which beat Olympic 2-1.

The Kingz play Wollongong Wolves at Christchurch's Jade Stadium tonight.

While player-coach Wynton Rufer says he is available for selection, the final line-up will not be known until later today.

Rufer's hopes of having All Whites midfielder Aaran Lines in the squad have been dashed by Turner who said the situation has not changed.

"Nothing has been agreed," said Turner. "We are keen to look at it but as yet no one apart from Wynton has spoken to him or his German club."

Lines has returned to Christchurch from Germany and is keen to play out the season with the Kingz.

Rufer will again have to make a decision on which of his two goalkeepers will play tonight. Michael Utting was in goal for the 3-3 draw against Wollongong at North Harbour Stadium a fortnight ago but Jason Batty played last Sunday in the win over Olympic.

"Utting hasn't been up to scratch but both trained very well this week," said Rufer.

While Rufer might return for the first time since he scored the dramatic equaliser against Newcastle three weeks ago, Batram Suri could still be a month away nursing a stress fracture. Middleby seems certain to regain his place in the starting line-up.