Kewell refuses to stoop to disrespectful Ballack's level

* By David Penberthy
* From: The Daily Telegraph
* May 25, 2010

STAR striker Harry Kewell has taken a swipe at lippy German captain Michael Ballack, who publicly bagged the Socceroo forward as an inconsistent underperformer.

But Kewell and other members of the Socceroos squad have refused to show any elation at the fact that Ballack will now miss the 2010 World Cup with an ankle injury, saying Germany will still be a formidable opponent in Australia's first group clash of the tournament.

Captain Lucas Neill even suggested that the Germans could be stronger for Ballack's absence, as a hungry new midfielder would finally take his place in the formidable national team. Kewell told The Daily Telegraph that Ballack had shown a lack of respect with the comments he made last week.

"I don't disrespect players," Kewell said. "If that's how professional people want to act that's fair enough, that's their own doing, but I don't agree with it."

In an arrogant display, Ballack said last week that he didn't even know where Kewell was now playing, and that while the Australian was naturally talented he had been too inconsistent to be regarded as a superstar.

"He has great ability but he can go up and down as a player," Ballack said in an interview with Alpha magazine.

"He has a wonderful left foot but then when people expect more from him he can't really show it. Where is he playing now?"

Kewell, who is based in Turkey with Galatasaray, told The Telegraph that the Socceroos were not concerned either way whether Ballack was in the side.

He said all that mattered was how prepared the Socceroos were to take on Germany and their other two opponents, Ghana and Serbia, in the Group D games.

"Look, it's a shame for Germany," Kewell said. "But I'm not worried about Germany, I'm not worried about Serbia, I'm not worried about Ghana, I'm worried about my own team."

Other veteran Socceroos also downplayed Ballack's absence as a factor in Australia's opening game.

"I don't think one player can change a football team," midfielder Vince Grella told The Telegraph. Neill added: "It's sad that he's not going to be in the tournament because you want to play against the very best."

Australia play Germany on June 14 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/soccer/kewell-refuses-to-stoop-to-disrespectful-ballacks-level/story-e6frey4r-1225870815198