By Tyson_85 - 31 May 2010 12:05 PM
Kewell set for cameo role1
31 May 2010-SBS EXCLUSIVE
Harry Kewell has been earmarked as a second half substitute in Australia’s World Cup opener against Germany on 14 June as part of coach Pim Verbeek's master plan to nurse his attacking ace through the tournament.
Unlikely to be sighted – even off the bench - in Australia’s final warm-ups against Denmark on Tuesday and the US on Saturday, Kewell is working tirelessly with the Socceroos' fitness conditioner Darren Burgess to be ready in time for his cameo against the three-time champion.
A source within the Australia camp has revealed that Verbeek is so determined to protect Kewell from a recurrence of his long-standing groin injury that he is reluctant to unleash his potential match-winner until the final 20 minutes against Germany, a strategy which all but guarantees a start to beanpole striker Josh Kennedy as Australia’s point man.
With just five minutes of football under his belt since undergoing groin surgery three months ago, the Galatasaray attacking midfielder is on a joint mission as Australia prepare for their Group D duels against the Germans, Ghana and Serbia – to pilot Australia to the second phase of the tournament for the second time and to produce the magic that will cement a new two-year deal with Gala.
Kewell, whose strike against Croatia four years ago earned Australia a 2-2 draw and place in the knockout phase, admits he must flourish in South Africa to be sure of securing his future in Turkey.
He told The World Game before jetting to the Rainbow Nation: "It’s obvious that having played so little football this year that I need to be playing to show the management at Galatasaray that I am still the player they expect me to be.
"The World Cup will hopefully give me the chance to do that. I know what I’m capable of and with the excellent treatment I’ve been getting I’m sure I’ll be able to produce the performances I need to when the time comes.
"I know that my club will be watching me very closely and if I stay I will be more than happy to do so.
"I’ve had a fantastic time in Turkey, despite the injury this year, and the fans are second to none in my book. I couldn’t be happier there."
Kewell has had a two year deal on the table from coach Frank Rijkaard since December, but negotiations hit a hurdle when he succumbed to groin problems in January, playing just two more games that month before returning to Sydney for surgery.
Ironically, Australia’s master of the unexpected entered Germany 2006 in eerily similar circumstances, working around the clock to be fit for Australia’s curtain-raiser against Japan as a groin injury hampered him and meant constant care from his personal fitness guru Les Gelis.
“I have overcome a lot of hurdles in my career when it comes to injuries,” Kewell said. “The current situation is just another challenge. I never let these things get me down and I still know I can do a job when called on. In football you have to take these things in your stride.”
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1005497/Kewell-set-for-cameo-role
Looks like our suspicions have been confirmed. Obviously not coming along 'ahead of schedule'
as claimed.
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By Davide82 - 2 Jun 2010 4:53 PM
Look if Pim had even come close to wanting to take Nicky Carle with him in the first place he would be there still training with the boys.
He didn't. He knew he wouldn't play nicky so why bother.
Im sorry people but Carle is and never was the answer.
He is a good A-League player at best.
To be honest apart from some stupid tricks I never even thought he was that great in the A-League either.
That goal everyone always shows where he ran almost the whole field and scored agains Adelaide was, if you look, due to the fact that not one person was in Adelaide's midfiel;d to even attempt to tackle him. Then he toe poked it home.
He is a good player. Not a World Cup player and not a team player in a team where team is everything...if that makes sense.
I'm just sick of hearing all this whinging about selections and especially about Carle.
Over
Forget it
He's not playing
And to paraphrase my previous post :
There are several players in EVERY World Cup Squad out of the 32 with players that will see NO GAME TIME AT ALL so why not bring our best player along if he is even a tiny chance to even play some tiny role?
Christ
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