Hoping for Harry

David Lewis | June 19th, 2010


BESIEGED coach Pim Verbeek must decide whether to ignore the concerns of Socceroos medical staff and start stalled superstar Harry Kewell in Australia's death-or-deliverance World Cup clash against Ghana tonight.

Socceroos' medicos believe Kewell, who is down on match fitness having played just 58 minutes of football since December, has no more than 45 minutes of football in him.

They want Kewell kept in cotton wool until the break, when the African Cup of Nations finalists are beginning to tire and he can see out the match.

However Verbeek is desperate to start Kewell.

He hopes a healthy helping of vintage Harry will provide the spark that revives Australia's fading World Cup dream, despite having ignored his claims in Monday's 4-0 humiliation against Germany.

Despite his wishes, it appears the medical team will win and Kewell will start off the bench.

Verbeek views Kewell as his resurrection man as he plots Australia's rise in Rustenburg.

The decision on how many minutes Kewell plays is not only crucial for Verbeek, however.

Kewell, 31, is playing for more than his international future.

He is out to salvage his club career with a new two-year deal with Turkish giants Galatasaray dependent on him proving his fitness in South Africa.

He is out of contract at the end of this month and failure to get any game time against either Ghana, or in Australia's final Group D game against Serbia four days later, could leave him clubless and struggling to resurrect a career already marred by catalogue of long-term injuries, which first surfaced at Leeds United and followed him to Liverpool and then Istanbul.

Kewell underwent groin surgery in February, leaving him underdone and under scrutiny going into the tournament.

But he insists he is `110 per cent fit' and is there if Verbeek wants him, which he now does with Australia's World Cup entering the realms of death row.

He has been working tirelessly with Socceroos fitness conditioner Darren Burgess since late May and has been in full training with the team for the last 10 days.

Verbeek now believes it's time for him to deliver.

His plan, though, will probably see Richard Garcia -- a surprise starter up front against Germany -- again lead the line before Kewell is uncloaked after the interval as a central striker.

There appears to be no reprieve in sight for gangling striker Josh Kennedy who didn't feature against Germany and appears to have fallen sharply out of favour with Verbeek.

Unwilling to further destabilise the precarious position of Verbeek, Kewell is happy to abide by whatever decision the under-pressure Dutchman makes explaining: "I don't pick the team. The boss does and I respect whatever he wants to do.

"Of course I want to play and I believe I'm in good shape.

"If I start, I'll be delighted but I'll also be pleased just to get on and try and make something happen for the team whenever I am needed."

Mark Bresciano is also almost certain to return against the Black Stars, despite a post-game tirade at Verbeek after being left out against Germany.

Along with Kewell, he could hold the key to unlocking a side with three points already in the bag and favourites to progress along with Germany.

With Tim Cahill suspended following his red card, it's likely Brett Holman will start in the hole behind Garcia or Kewell.


http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2010/06/19/229801_gold-coast-soccer.html