It's all about Kewell, says former England player Paul Parker

* Paul Parker
* From: Sunday Mail (SA)
* March 27, 2010

THERE is one man who will dictate just how far the Socceroos will go in this summer's World Cup in South Africa - Harry Kewell.

Undoubtedly, Kewell remains the centre piece of the Australian game, the biggest name in green and gold.

Certainly Tim Cahill has gone a long way to catching him up, maybe even surpassing him in someways now that Kewell in no longer in the English Premier League.

In the four years since the last World Cup it's Cahill more than anyone that has developed as a player.

He hasn't scored the amount of goals that he has in past seasons, but there is a lot more to his game now than just scoring from headers or nicking goals.

When you talk of Cahill now, you talk of Cahill the footballer.

Still, come June the Aussie who will strike fear into German, Ghanaian and Serbian hearts will be King Harry.

For all he has been through, from the heights of his Leeds United days to injury problems at Liverpool, he has shown with Turkish side Galatasaray that he still has that rare edge you expect of football royalty.

And that is just what Australia needs when they face Germany first up at the World Cup.

Taking on Europe's most successful nation in their opener is by far the hardest way Australia could kick-start its campaign.

At a time like that and against a side of such quality, it's the enigmatic type that make their stand.

It's those moments when Paul Gascoigne and David Platt would take up the case for England in my day.

On the pitch Kewell possess some of the better attributes both these players built their game on.

With possession it was Gazza that could cause problems on the ball in the final third.

David on the other hand could be relied upon to make runs from deep into the box where he would be on the lookout for John Barnes or Chris Waddle crosses.

It's when backs are against the wall that players of this ilk shine brightest, but it take a gamble on manager Pim Verbeek behalf to make it possible.

Kewell needs to find himself in the middle with a free role where he can join forces with Cahill if Australia are going to make an impression.

Injuries and old age, unfortunately, can find players out when playing wide.

The Socceroos have lacked creativity whenever I've watched them but Kewell is an individual with the nouse and guile who can drop his shoulder will find a pass, get his foot around the ball and test the goalkeeper from tight angles.

Some say Jason Culina has it, but it's just not in his locker.

If there is truly a search on for another danger man then little Tommy Oar must rate a mention.

At World Cups there are always players who come from nowhere.

In my time Bobby Robson giving away a cap was like him giving away money from his mother purse, he just didn't want to do it.

I had two full appearances, a few as a substitute and only 15 minutes of a competitive qualifier against Albania to prepare for the 1990 World Cup.

Tommy lacks the experience but he showed against Indonesia in Australia's last international that he is a brave kid, keen to do exactly as he does for his club side Brisbane on the world stage in front of the big crowds when the pressure in on.

The only thing that let him down was the silly number he was given. Three digits don't work in my book and for that reason alone I marked him down for a 9/10.


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