No Australian football fan has forgotten the events of November 1997. The events in Tehran and Melbourne have been written about in great detail elsewhere, and needless to say it was one of the most heartbreaking experiences we have all had to endure. And the wait of 8 years simply prolonged the agony.
But November 1997 was also the month of the making of the “Golden Boy” of Australian football, Harry Kewell.
It was November 8, 1997 when Leeds hosted Derby at Elland Road- the rivalry between the two clubs goes back to the 1970s, then saw some of the most appalling violence of the early 1980s as both clubs declined. But in 1997, these were two clubs very clearly on the up.
Kewell had already made his mark on an improving Leeds side. He had already scored a couple of goals, but his performance in this game had garnered attention for one splendid goal. Leeds had bored everybody to death the previous season, albeit securing Premiership safety, but the new season brought the necessary changes. Youth was the key.
Derby were on a high after defeating Arsenal 3-0 the previous week- and Arsenal went on to win the double! This was also the first season in their new home of Pride Park, but the first game against Wimbledon had been abandoned after light failure.
Nevertheless, this was a Derby squad boasting memorable talent such as Igor Stimac, Aljosa Asanovic (think a Nick Carle kind of player but actually better), Paulo Wanchope, Stefano Eranio and Francisco Baiano. Jim Smith had proven a highly effective manager to date, but he would later lose the plot.
It was all Derby in the first half an hour, playing the kind of football that had seen them comfortably demolish Arsenal. They were 3-0 up with Dean Sturridge scoring twice in 11 minutes, and Aljosa Asanovic seemingly putting the game beyond doubt with a penalty.
But Leeds sparked to life.
Rod Wallace had pulled one back. And then five minutes before half time, Harry Kewell stunned the crowd with a goal.
A stunning volley that would rank among the top goals of 97/98. The goal set Leeds on to win the game, which they did in the final 10 minutes through a Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink penalty and then Lee Boyer, on as a sub, scoring the winner in the last minute. 4-3 it finished.
Leeds went on to finish 5th while Derby finished a credible but somewhat disappointing 9th, having been in the mix for Europe most of the season.
Both clubs gambled massively on success and paid a heavy price as the football world came crashing financially by 2002. Dark clouds gathered around Leeds, while Derby suffered a dismal relegation- both clubs were to pay for their overspending and neither have fully recovered.
But it’s amazing to think how significant that one goal was, to so many.
Harry Kewell had attained stardom.
David V.
Guest
No, we aren't talking merely about that time but in the context of left wingers. England's uncapped left wingers, post-John Barnes, included players like Ian Woan, Dane Whitehouse, Rick Holden, Scott Sellars, Paul Simpson and David Eyres. All of whom naturally left-footed players who were criminally overlooked by blatantly ignorant coaches. Matt Taylor and Matt Etherington are victims of the same ignorance today.
Footy Aficionado
Roar Rookie
David V, if you can convince a bunch of Aussies thata bunch of brits were as good as kewell was when he was at leeds then I hope your working in sales as you would make a motza :) John Barnes will probably be approved becasue we all saw him play. When Kewell was at leeds he would have been first choice left winger for england for sure. He would probably have 40 caps if he hadn't represented Austalia. I don't think the U tube clips do H justice because they mainly focus on the goals, there was a big period at leeds where he didn't score many but was beating a couple of defenders for fun quite a few times in a game and then putting in a cross (remmeber that cross he would do with his foot coming from around the back) or a pass.
David V.
Guest
"None of those lefties you mention was at the same level as Harry except John Barnes." Try telling that to Rangers fans who saw the best of Davie Cooper. He was one of their best ever, one of Scotland's best ever, and one of the best ever. And I'm no Rangers fan either. And I for one remember Kevin Sheedy for his passes, crosses and dead balls which were beyond compare at best. The fact that Bob Paisley was livid that Liverpool sold him to us so cheaply tells you how good a player he was. And the fact he scored v England in Italia '90 was the icing on the cake. Oh and he contributed to our last successful period. Peter Barnes mesmerised in his prime at Man City and West Brom, and his debut for England against Italy in 1977 was quite something- he was causing so much trouble down the left that Italian defenders mercilessly hacked him down. He just got up and got on with it, handled it very well. Sadly, he made a bad career move when he went to Leeds for big bucks, and his career nosedived. But of the capped lefties, he was definitely England's best along with John Barnes. Young Player of the Year when Man City won the League Cup. Tony Morley won the League and European Cup with Aston Villa and was brilliant for those years. Dave Armstrong didn't miss a game for Middlesbrough for about 7 years straight, he was consistent and highly skillful. Also helped Southampton to runners-up place and scored a lot of goals, and 3 England caps. Leighton James- long and colourful career with clubs like Burnley, Derby, QPR, Swansea, Sunderland, Newport and Bury. Had three spells at Burnley and was the "Welsh wizard" before Ryan Giggs was. John Robertson- slow, fat, drank and smoked, but unstoppable in his prime and won 2 European Cup with Nottingham Forest. Also helped Scotland qualify for '82 World Cup, now assistant manager at Aston Villa to his longtime friend and former teammate Martin O'Neill. And we haven't even come to the uncapped group yet! Gordon Hill and Alan Devonshire won half a dozen England caps each, and FA Cup medals.
Midfielder
Guest
Must listen to ... the Harry Kwell Song.... Harry Harry Kool... MUST LISTEN http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0yAckY104U
jimbo
Guest
Good article David bringing back some great, proud moments for Aussie footballers doing well overseas and an intriguing time for Leeds United in English football. Kewell a star in his own right and Mark Viduka not far behind him. David O’Leary the rising star of Football managers as well. Whatever happened to O’Leary? I don't think the best of Harry is behind him either looking at the highlights reel for Galatasary. He’s never looked fitter or fresher with some world class goals. I'm sure he will again have a big part to play in our next world cup campaign in South Africa. He rarely fails to deliver on the world stage, just a matter of staying fit and injury free.
midfield general
Guest
DV, I think HK was very highly rated in UK around the time he was finished with Leeds - he could have had a pick of the big three clubs in EPL at the time as well as a couple of Italian giants. None of those lefties you mention was at the same level as Harry except John Barnes. After all, HK did play in two ECL finals as well as in the world club cup a few years ago. In fact he did achieve a lot in spite of all those injuries - if I'm not mistaken didn't Leeds make ECL semi's one year, as well as UEFA Cup final? A lot more than those fellas you've mentioned, you're just nostalgic about the eighties.
Midfielder
Guest
David V This is not a bad youtube ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOad3bsr72Q&feature=fvsr
Midfielder
Guest
Papa Yes what a night he torn one David Becks apart .. and had the defense falling all over the place... Also agree on your Benitez comment ... he had two coaches desperate to get him on the park... Hindsight is a great thing...but time forgives no one and time has moved on... David V .. it was not me commenting on Harrys skill and I did not say in the top five of all time... he was judged for about two or three years as one of the top five left sided players playing at that time by a lot of football folk... As Papa said the greed of his coaches robbed us of seeing if he could have made the list for top left sided players of all time... Oh Harry ... Football rebirth can be traced through his career from the 1997 WCQ in Melbourne ... IMO the player who has influenced the public and mainstream media more than any other... Just for the fun of it ... make your own words but the Bonny M ... Daddy Cool .... sing it loud ... Harry Harry Cool .. Harry Harry Cool http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5gNYVia2rg From Youtube http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=harry+kwell&search_type=&aq=f
Koala Bear
Guest
I would put Harry up there with John Barnes ... We really never saw the best of Harry due to injury... But who could forget the night Harry tore England apart almost single handedly... ~~~~~~~ KB
Robbos
Guest
David V, I don't think you could put those other guys up there with John Barnes, he was world class, England didn't know how to use him. the others were good British players no more, no less, capable of flashes of brillance but no John Barnes.
David V.
Guest
Nature though, might say otherwise :?
Koala Bear
Guest
David V, in Australia "Yes we can" Barack Obama ;) ~~~~~~~~ KB
David V.
Guest
But can you honestly say that Harry was in the same league as Cooper, Sheedy, James, Robertson, P. Barnes, Morley, J. Barnes etc? Look at footage of them and the answer would be a decisive no.
Koala Bear
Guest
Midfielder, nay, I reckon it was Benitez who F**ked up Harry’s career... It was Benitez, who kept playing an injured Harry when he was carrying that groin injury and didn’t let him recover properly in his first year at Liverpool... Then the year after it happened again.. ~~~~~~~ KB
Midfielder
Guest
IMO Harry is the best Australian football player of any code I have even seen in my 54 years to date. O'Leary at Leeds flogged him to death and he has been injured much over recent years at the Knob. Harry regardless of injuries, poor form & whatever his attitude may have been, has been one of those players who can cause consternation in the opposition. This alone makes him practically worth his weight in gold & it is not only the fear & confusion he creates around himself but the knock-on effect that has in the defence & general play of any team he faces that makes him such an asset. Harry needed to put himself in the shop window as it were, because finally Benitez could no longer justify him hanging around, .............BUT,...................... remember that Harry is also the player who has been picked to start in Champions League finals ............after long term injuries / absences precisely because of the magic he brings. Harry’s form does not always indicate what may happen next, thus we are in the opposite position that so many defenders have been, nor sure what he might do but we’re hoping it is great! Galla and 2010 … Harry Harry Cool Harry Harry Cool AHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhh To be rated as one of the best five left sided players in the world is a huge nay massive achievement. Further he has been in FIFA top 50 players lists at times… In perspective over 200 million male players and to be judged in the top 50 .. well it says it all… and one of the top 5 left sided players… A real shame injury did not allow Harry to reach his best … I wonder what his best may have been …
David V.
Guest
Yep, because by then Leeds' financial woes were out in the open. While Everton may not have money, we've lived within our means and done fantastically well considering.
DiCanio
Guest
God Muscat really is a thug and a blight on the game.
midfield general
Guest
My HK highlight was a friendly game against a full strength France (2001?) at MCG where I thought Harry overshadowed everybody on the pitch including a certain Zinedine Zidane. The lowlight of the game incidentally was a Muscat tackle on Christophe Dugarry putting him out of the game for the season. I also remember a Leeds game where both HK and Dukes scored a cracking goal each against Arsenal to save Leeds from relegation. That might have been his last game for Leeds, and the start of his decline.
Footy Aficionado
Roar Rookie
I don't know but i'm sure this club season will show, it will be interesting who he turns out for. If he plays for an arab team I would be suspicious. I wouldn't chase him, but if expresses that he wants to play I would pick him. We don't have anyone to hold the ball up so if there's a match where we have to play one upfront he's an option. That wouldn't be my default tactic but like Kennedy at the 2006 world cup, he represents a plan b option. A world cup is a big pick me up becasue even jaded pros enjoy big games. I wouldn't be worried about him not trying for Australia, he's old enough to know to retire rather than phone it in. It's not like club football where your playing for money.
Koala Bear
Guest
Andrew, that is an interesting question... Does the Duke have the same hunger to play for Australia as Becks has to play for England...? Hmm I think Becks has shown he will do anything to be selected for England... I don't know if I could say the same for the Dukes; does he have the same hunger as Becks...? If not, he will not be of any real value as you would want players to die on the pitch for you if necessary... I'm not sure if Viduka has that same hunger or is prepared to compete on the pitch like he use to... I hope I'm wrong, but I can't see him chasing down wayward through balls any more as the lone striker, especially now he is 34yrs old.... ~~~~~~~ KB