By TERRY MADDAFORD
And then there was one.
After being surrounded, or so it seemed, by fellow Australians at the Football Kingz, Andy Vlahos is now alone in flying the Australian flag.
"Last year there were six Australians here," Vlahos, in his second season at the club, said. "Now I'm on my own. But it doesn't worry me."
Determined to stay onside with his team-mates, he says he was quick to congratulate the All Whites when they upset the Socceroos this year to win a place in next year's Confederations Cup.
Happy to be part of the Auckland-based franchise, Vlahos, one of the standouts for the Kingz last season, is already talking of a possible third season.
Fishing and golf remain off-field attractions for a player who has "been on the circuit" as a semi and full professional since he left school 10 years ago.
He has had, among others, a stint with Greek club Panathinaikos after spells with Heidelberg, Collingwood and Carlton, all Melbourne-based clubs who have since vanished from the national league.
"Playing for the Kingz has been pretty good. I've made some good friends and we all get along together."
Encouraged to cross the Tasman by fly-by-night coach Mike Petersen, Vlahos, and another former South Melbourne player, the equally quick-to-disappear Con Boutsianis, were seen as key to a team touted as 2000-01 NSL contenders.
It never happened.
Vlahos has at least stuck about as others, including Michael Theoklitos, Levent Osman, Vinko Buljubasic, George Goutzioulis and John Markovski, for one reason or another, moved on.
The coaching merry-go-round has been almost as giddy for Vlahos.
He has played under Petersen, Shane Rufer, Kevin Fallon and now Ken Dugdale.
"I've had heaps of coaches. In one year alone in Greece I had four," said 26-year-old Vlahos, who was born in Melbourne to Greek parents. "But I can say I have learned something from them all. That's something about playing in different countries with their different styles."
His only even half regret this season is the goal drought he is struggling through.
For a player who scored 13 goals in seasons at Carlton and South Melbourne, going almost half a season without finding the net is annoying.
"Ken [Dugdale] is happy with the way I'm going," Vlahos said. "But I would love to score a goal. It would be worse though if no one was scoring. At least we are getting a few."
Vlahos is enjoying his partnership with newcomer Patricio Almendra in a diminutive strikeforce in which Harry Ngata provides the physical presence.
"Patricio is as good a striker as I have played with," Vlahos said. "He is similar to Paul Trimboli in his younger days. Patricio can find you anywhere."
He was enjoying playing under Dugdale and his assistant Stu Jacobs, even if it had been in a slightly different role.
"They have got me playing a bit deeper, but I don't mind playing anywhere in the attacking half," said Vlahos, who has taken more defensive responsibilities this season. "I'm fitter than I was last season. There has been more running and tackling, but that is the way of the modern game."
Beyond his playing days, Vlahos would prefer to remain in football whether as a referee (he has done a level-three course) or coach.
Vlahos says provided the Kingz stay injury and suspension free, they remain a top-six chance.
He sees the next three games, beginning with tonight's home clash with Newcastle United at Ericsson Stadium, as most important in their push towards the play-offs.
"Newcastle are a team we feel we have a chance against." And the suggestion that the Kingz could, for the first time in their four-season history, win three in a row?
"Why not. We are playing at home, on a pitch that is better than last season and under lights, which seems to suit us better."
Soccer: Andy Vlahos: out in a field of his own
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