Kewell v Kennedy: the final shoot-out
June 9, 2010 - 3:36PM
It’s a straight shoot-out between Harry Kewell and Josh Kennedy for the only Australian World Cup team spot still up for grabs.
Who fills the lone striker’s role is the last choice coach Pim Verbeek has to make before the opening match against Germany on Sunday (Monday AEST), barring any unforeseen injuries or drastic changes of strategy.
Both carry risks.
Kewell maintains he is fit and ready to go.
But he has played only a few minutes of competitive football all year, missed all three of Australia’s warm-up matches and has not trained fully with the Socceroos squad in South Africa.
Kennedy has no injury worries, and found the net in the 1-0 win against Denmark.
But he is seen by many as an impact player most useful coming off the bench, rather than a starting choice who will stay the full 90 minutes.
So who will get the nod?
"It depends on how the boss wants to play," said Kennedy, the rangy target man whose aerial power is his greatest weapon.
"I’m a different player to Harry.
"Harry is fit now and I think that is a fantastic thing for everyone.
"We’ll see what the boss has in store."
Kennedy has been getting plenty of match time and scoring plenty of goals at club level in Japan.
"All I can do is my best," he said.
"All I can concentrate on is my job rather than what’s outside my control.
"Harry has done the same."
Asked if he had done enough to grab the striker’s job, Kennedy replied: "I don’t think it’s a question that I needed to do so much to make it mine.
"It has always been a question of how the boss wants to play, what combination he wants to put on the pitch.
"I can play with anyone and I’m sure Harry can, too."
AAP
http://www.theage.com.au/world-cup-2010/world-cup-news/kewell-v-kennedy-the-final-shootout-20100609-xw13.html