Kennedy set for lead role with Socceroos

By Jim Morton, 27 Feb 2010 Jim Morton is a Roar Pro

Tagged:: A-League, football, Josh Kennedy, Pim Verbeek, Socceroos

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Socceroos striker Josh Kennedy was a mere novice fringe player at the 2006 World Cup but he’s ready to step up and take a leadership role heading towards South Africa.

As one of only four foreign-based players, Kennedy will certainly be one of Pim Verbeek’s key men in Wednesday night’s final Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia at Suncorp Stadium.

The Japan-based forward is in contention to take the premier attacking role former skipper Mark Viduka held in 2006 and he’s well aware of the extra responsibility expected at his second World Cup in June.

“Being around from the last time I’ve got that experience and growing with the group of guys until now,” the 27-year-old said.

“I’m not a new face in the team any more so it’s a good feeling to have more responsibility and being a bigger part of the team.”

In Germany four years ago, Guus Hiddink used Kennedy off the bench at a pivotal time in the final group match against Croatia.

Down 2-1, the 194cm target man played a part in Harry Kewell’s golden goal for a draw to qualify for the knockout stage.

Kennedy has arrived at a Gold Coast training camp fresh after a strong pre-season program with Nagoya Grampus and looking forward to playing in Brisbane where he scored in the Socceroos last visit for a 4-0 thumping of Qatar.

Australia (8 points) only need a draw over the out-of-contention Indonesians to book a place in the 2011 Asian Cup but three points is the sole aim.

A loss would open the door for third-place Oman (7) to sneak in if they beat Kuwait (8) or have a high-scoring draw a few hours later in the Middle East.

“The game is extremely important and we definitely want to win the game and not to leave it up to the result of the other game,” Kennedy said.

“I think every game we play up until the World Cup is very important, especially getting in with the guys again and the more games we have the better we’re going to jelk.”

Friday was Verbeek’s first session with his 27-man squad on the Gold Coast after attending a FIFA workshop in South Africa.

Rising North Queensland attacking midfielder David Williams, a Brisbane product, is one player highly appreciative of Verbeek after gaining a surprise call-up.

“I wasn’t expecting (selection),” he said. “There’s a few guys that were left out that I thought would be here.

“It would be a real buzz to play in front of family and friends at Suncorp Stadium. It would be a dream come true if I can get there.”

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The Crowd Says (8) | Page 1 of Comments

volante said | February 27th 2010 @ 10:00am | Report comment

i like kennedy, i think he is a good player but unfortunately he is a bad influence on the socceroos. it seems every time we play him we resort to the long ball and completely cut out the attacking midfield (wasting the talent of some of our best players)

hopefully if he is part of pims system at the world cup, another striker is put up with him to give the midfield another option. maybe cahill pushing forward sometime before the 80th minute?

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Mister Football said | February 27th 2010 @ 10:34am | Report comment

Josh Kennedy was 24 years old last WC.

The honest truth is that he is no better now than he was then.

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- Moonface said | February 28th 2010 @ 9:36pm | Report comment
  
  Would have made a good ruckman for the Bulldogs at six foot six.
  
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- AndyRoo said | February 28th 2010 @ 10:10pm | Report comment
  
  He is a lot better player than he was 4 years ago, much more comfortable on the ball and more succesful at knocking the ball down. Just doesn’t look like it because for the Socceroos he now only plays as a lone striker where as 4 years ago he was coming of the bench to support Mark Viduka.
  
  Scott Macdonald would look like a better player too if he played next to Viduka.
  
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Australian Football said | February 27th 2010 @ 10:40am | Report comment

Kennedy and Mark Milligan have an opportunity made in Heaven for this game against Indonesia to write their headlines. I’m looking forward to these two men putting on a performance that we have been waiting from them for over 2 years. One can feel they are ready and primmed and really wanting to go out there and own this game—-to dispel any thoughts that Pim may have as not starting these players in the Roos line up for South Africa.. This game is especially important for Milligan to partner Lucas Neil as the main two central defenders for South Africa.

~~~~~~
AF

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Mister Football said | February 27th 2010 @ 11:06am | Report comment

Speaking of Milligan, he too is no better now than he was four years ago.

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- David said | February 27th 2010 @ 12:44pm | Report comment
  
  Milligan was training with: Arsenal, Manchester City and Wolfsberge he ended up going to china and now he’s in the J2 league. Its funny how poor decisions and management can destory a potential star.
  
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David said | February 27th 2010 @ 12:41pm | Report comment

I like Josh he adds an aerial threat to our game when he’s on the park. That being said i wouldnt start him he obviously lacks technical ability, is a bit slow and cant finish.

I’d rather see Kewell, Dijt or Ruka up front in the world cup ether of the latter have something to offer post world cup. Whilst kewell is skillful and can finish from anywhere in the forward third.

Against Indonesia Kennedy should shine he’s about a foot and a half taller then most of there team so i dont think he will have a problem scoring a few.

But against Serbia, Germany and Ghana Kenndy will be our undoing imo. But by then it will be too late…

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