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Jesus forgives, Kennedy set for saviour role again

Roar Guru
8th October, 2008
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Australian soccer’s “Jesus” is not surprisingly prepared to forgive and forget. Lanky striker Josh Kennedy arrived in Brisbane today confident of a Socceroos recall against Qatar after suffering a shock bench demotion for the last-start 1-0 win in the World Cup qualifier in Uzbekistan.

Coach Pim Verbeek stunned all and sundry by overlooking the 194cm target – whose height, wispy beard and shoulder-length hair has earned him the “Jesus” moniker.

Kennedy had come off impressive goal-scoring performances against South Africa and the Netherlands.

The 2-1 upset of the Dutch also came courtesy of the German-based striker’s efforts to secure a penalty which Harry Kewell converted.

But Verbeek opted for a five-man defensive structure in Tashkent, playing Kewell as the lone frontman with Brett Hollmann in support. A gamble that paid off.

“It came as a little surprise and I really wanted to play the game because I was in good form,” Kennedy said today.

“A couple of goals and the Dutch game but at the end of the day we got the result.”

Kennedy has no hard feelings, his team-first attitude the type of sentiment stand-in captain Lucas Neill has lauded in saying the current Australian squad is the most humble he’s known.

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“I’m not going to be sour about it and angry and upset,” Kennedy said.

“If we would have lost 3-1 and things would have been different I could have said it was the wrong decision, but at the end of the day it was the right decision and that’s how it goes.

“Tactically it paid off.

“It’s part and parcel of football, you’re not going to play every game.”

But with Mark Viduka still missing for the forseeable future and Kewell (groin) unlikely, Kennedy is set to be a certain starter against the Qataris next Wednesday at Suncorp Stadium.

With eight internationals now under his belt, including four goals, the 2006 World Cup squad member felt his recent appearances had him on the verge of nailing down a regular spot.

“That’s definitely the goal to cement that position and the more games I play and the more goals will help, so time will tell,” he said.

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“I’m sure Pim will select a strong team but (starting against Qatar) is definitely my goal.”

Kennedy has form against the middle-eastern nation, scoring against them in the 3-0 win at the Telstra Dome in February.

Australia also thumped Qatar 3-1 in Doha to seal a berth in the final stage of qualification.

But Kennedy said the visitors, preparing on the Gold Coast under new coach Bruno Metsu, couldn’t be underestimated.

“I think they’ll come out firing,” he said.

“In a way they have got nothing to lose. We’ve beaten them twice and we’re the team who can lose something.”

While he’s yet to score in the Bundesliga after five rounds, Kennedy is well pleased at his new club, Karlsurhe, after transferring from Nurnberg late last season.

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“Nurnberg is struggling in the second league and for me I’ve made the right move to go to a different club where I can play regularly,” he said.

“They probably regretted it when I scored in the first game against them.”

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