jelly123
03-02-2008, 01:04 AM
A hungry Harry Kewell already has one foot on the plane to China for Australia's March 26 World Cup qualifier after being told by coach Pim Verbeek that his services will be required in Kunming.
The Liverpool midfielder was left in cotton wool by Verbeek as Australia cruised past Qatar in Melbourne a month ago but there was never any question of the oft-injured but still pivotal playmaker being left on the shelf for long.
And the word from the Kewell corner is that he is ready and willing to join Verbeek’s foreign legionnaires for a match the Dutchman is looking to take maximum points from to move a step closer South Africa 2010.
Kewell last played for his country in the 1-0 win over Nigeria in London last November, in which he excelled in a free ranging attacking role.
According to national team-mate David Carney, who scored a sumptuous winner from long-range that night, when Australia are in need of an injection of piquancy, Kewell, 29, is the man his peers turn to.
While Kewell remains unloved by some at his club after just 139 appearances (30 off the bench), and only 16 goals in nearly five years of setbacks, surgeries, recuperations and relapses , he is still the apple of his country’s eye.
“Harry gives us the X-factor,” wide-man Carney, who has forged an indelible impression of his own since breaking through at last year’s Asian Cup, declared.
“Just having him around at training and in the dressing room gives the boys a lift.”
“He can change a game in a second. You can think he’s having a quiet match but then he does something that makes your jaw drop. We need him in the team.”
“It will be great to have him back. Of course we did well against Qatar without him but this is Harry Kewell we’re talking about. He’s not your every day sort of player, is he?”
“He’s been the biggest name in Australian football for a decade. He’s having a little bit of a tough time at Liverpool, and the injuries haven’t helped him. But it would be silly to write him off.”
Kewell has been putting in extra hours of toil and strain at Liverpool’s Melwood training complex in an attempt to sharpen his fitness after just 15 appearances this season - six of which have been as a substitute. He even volunteered to drop back to the reserves in a bid to refill his tank.
It might be working, with Kewell netting a last minute goal in the 2-0 mid-week win over Manchester United’s second string after putting in a full 90 minute shift up against England defender Gary Neville, who is fighting back to fitness after a long-standing ankle injury.
This is no time for half measures as Kewell seeks to find a way of convincing Reds coach Rafa Benitez that his long-standing support of him has not been misplaced.
His contract expires at the end of the season and with each passing week it appears more likely Liverpool will pass on handing him a new deal and point him towards the Anfield exit.
While Kewell hasn’t given up hope of remaining at the club he has idolised since childhood, it’s believed that privately he accepts that might not be possible.
“Even if he were to leave Liverpool, they’d be plenty of other teams who would want him in a heartbeat,” Carney insisted.
“I know for sure that’s there’s plenty still to come from Harry, and he’s got it all to look forward to - whether it’s at Liverpool or elsewhere.”
Verbeek, meanwhile, will hand auditions to a select group of Olyroos players and A-League aces when Australia take on Singapore en route to China in a ‘B’ international on March 22.
It’s believed the best five or six from that group will join the overseas-based top guns in Kunming.
China were less than impressive at this month’s East Asian Cup, where they were beaten 3-1 by long-time bogey side Korea Republic, lost 1-0 to Japan but overcome Korea DPR 3-1 to restore some pride.
However, Carney remains wary.
“How many times before have you heard about teams under-performing and then coming good in the matches that matter?”
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/kewell-eager-for-aussie-duty-107379/
The Liverpool midfielder was left in cotton wool by Verbeek as Australia cruised past Qatar in Melbourne a month ago but there was never any question of the oft-injured but still pivotal playmaker being left on the shelf for long.
And the word from the Kewell corner is that he is ready and willing to join Verbeek’s foreign legionnaires for a match the Dutchman is looking to take maximum points from to move a step closer South Africa 2010.
Kewell last played for his country in the 1-0 win over Nigeria in London last November, in which he excelled in a free ranging attacking role.
According to national team-mate David Carney, who scored a sumptuous winner from long-range that night, when Australia are in need of an injection of piquancy, Kewell, 29, is the man his peers turn to.
While Kewell remains unloved by some at his club after just 139 appearances (30 off the bench), and only 16 goals in nearly five years of setbacks, surgeries, recuperations and relapses , he is still the apple of his country’s eye.
“Harry gives us the X-factor,” wide-man Carney, who has forged an indelible impression of his own since breaking through at last year’s Asian Cup, declared.
“Just having him around at training and in the dressing room gives the boys a lift.”
“He can change a game in a second. You can think he’s having a quiet match but then he does something that makes your jaw drop. We need him in the team.”
“It will be great to have him back. Of course we did well against Qatar without him but this is Harry Kewell we’re talking about. He’s not your every day sort of player, is he?”
“He’s been the biggest name in Australian football for a decade. He’s having a little bit of a tough time at Liverpool, and the injuries haven’t helped him. But it would be silly to write him off.”
Kewell has been putting in extra hours of toil and strain at Liverpool’s Melwood training complex in an attempt to sharpen his fitness after just 15 appearances this season - six of which have been as a substitute. He even volunteered to drop back to the reserves in a bid to refill his tank.
It might be working, with Kewell netting a last minute goal in the 2-0 mid-week win over Manchester United’s second string after putting in a full 90 minute shift up against England defender Gary Neville, who is fighting back to fitness after a long-standing ankle injury.
This is no time for half measures as Kewell seeks to find a way of convincing Reds coach Rafa Benitez that his long-standing support of him has not been misplaced.
His contract expires at the end of the season and with each passing week it appears more likely Liverpool will pass on handing him a new deal and point him towards the Anfield exit.
While Kewell hasn’t given up hope of remaining at the club he has idolised since childhood, it’s believed that privately he accepts that might not be possible.
“Even if he were to leave Liverpool, they’d be plenty of other teams who would want him in a heartbeat,” Carney insisted.
“I know for sure that’s there’s plenty still to come from Harry, and he’s got it all to look forward to - whether it’s at Liverpool or elsewhere.”
Verbeek, meanwhile, will hand auditions to a select group of Olyroos players and A-League aces when Australia take on Singapore en route to China in a ‘B’ international on March 22.
It’s believed the best five or six from that group will join the overseas-based top guns in Kunming.
China were less than impressive at this month’s East Asian Cup, where they were beaten 3-1 by long-time bogey side Korea Republic, lost 1-0 to Japan but overcome Korea DPR 3-1 to restore some pride.
However, Carney remains wary.
“How many times before have you heard about teams under-performing and then coming good in the matches that matter?”
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/kewell-eager-for-aussie-duty-107379/