Melbourne Victory’s Harry Kewell runs away with the ball against Aelaide United in a pre-season friendly in Adelaide (AAP Image/James Elsby)
If what we saw at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide Friday night translates into the 2011/12 A-League season, then Harry Kewell’s impact on domestic football in this country will far exceed the already lofty expectations around his arrival.
In one half of football in a pre-season friendly against Adelaide United – his first match for Melbourne Victory – Kewell showed glimpses of what he brings to the table.
There were elegant back heel passes, deft touches that created space and led to attacking runs, and numerous through balls to his attacking partners – chiefly Archie Thompson – that threatened Adelaide’s defenses on several occasions.
It was only a taste of what he’s capable of, but the class was very much there to see.
Adelaide United coach, Rini Coolen, summed it up best: “You could just see, his movements and touches, how he created space for himself… how he puts some very good balls through for players around.”
More importantly for the sceptics, Kewell looked committed, fit and hungry.
He looked every bit the Victory player – already linking well with teammates, particularly Thompson, who played as if he was already in season. And there were already signs that the Kewell-Thompson combo will have defenses across the A-League on edge.
Then factor in Danny Allsopp; Jean Carlos Solórzano, who looked dangerous in his half of football for his new club; the exciting Marco Rojas; and Carlos Hernandez, looking portly as ever but still with the quality to bury the equaliser late in the match. Even if he can’t be relied on for serious minutes, he’ll be a very dangerous impact player off the bench.
When coach Mehmet Durakovic figures out how to best utilise this armory of attacking options, the competition could be in some trouble.
They may leak goals with a defensive structure missing its chief marshal, Kevin Muscat, but they have more than enough ammunition to compensate for it at the other end.
While I thought they would close the gap to yet fall just short of challenging last season’s pacesetters, Brisbane Roar and Central Coast Mariners, I’m prepared to tip Victory as my favourites following Friday night. They showed enough glimpses of what they can produce – the movement, passing and attacking endeavour. It’ll be fun to watch.
Then there was the crowd – 9543… for a pre-season match, remember. Put that into the context of the following: higher than the crowd average of all but two A-League clubs last season (Victory and Adelaide those two clubs); 1150 up on the league’s crowd average last season; and 7274 more than were at Hindmarsh to see Adelaide versus Gold Coast United a fortnight earlier.
(Note: Friday night’s crowd wasn’t inflated by a large contingent of travelling Victory supporters. There were only around 10 to 20 Victory fans in the away supporters’ bay, although there would have been some more spread throughout the rest of Hindmarsh.)
There were boos, hisses and angry chants directed at Kewell from Adelaide’s active supporter group – what you’d expect to their biggest rivals’ new star – but there were also the gasps of approval at his movement, not to mention the constant question, “Is that him?” from those unable to pick him out from his teammates.
Those numbers (remember, a pre-season match – not even within a pre-season competition) would have Football Federation Australia rubbing their hands together with glee for what’s to come when the Kewell-show hits the league.
Yes, there was little to no competition within Adelaide that weekend – no Adelaide clubs in the AFL finals series or other distractions worthy of mentioning – so coverage in the local media was very strong (there was even a ‘Kewell-countdown’ in the local paper).
But that will also be the case when the A-League season kicks into gear across the country; such is the necessity of the later season start.
Do the math and multiply that increase across the league. Kewell-mania could be bigger than we expect.
Follow Adrian on twitter @AdrianMusolino
Krasic
Guest
Great article. I think you should write something on the new Juventus stadium.
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
Don't get too carried away. Kewell and Emerton aren't going to save the A-League on their own. You are! Increased attendances and TV ratings are going to give the A-League its biggest boost yet, especially when the new TV rights deals are going to be negotiated next year. A big increase in revenue will go a long way to growing football in this country and making the A-League sustainable. If you love football and you want to see the A-League grow, now is the time to buy that season membership, whichever club you support and tune in to the A-League games on Foxtel whenever you can. Your football nation needs you right now!
Johnno
Guest
An NSL history lesson for everyone. NSL 1997-2004. 42 teams in total were part of the NSL at some stage. Like the old NBL and some of the old rugby league and AFL, and current suburban rugby teams some great names real retro feel and strong post world war 2 Euro energy culture to the teams. No Asian teams really there as Asian immigration was not prominent until after the Vietnam war. Some great iconic retro names but not all ethnic , old NSL not all teams were ethnic lines based. There is also on the list current history and what divisions they are based in, or defunct as many team are here. Great trip down memory lane for many i think. Johnny warren and Les Murray would be proud of this list. Team Also known as Years Participating Current Status Adelaide City Adelaide Juventus Adelaide City Zebras Adelaide City Giants Adelaide (City) Force 1977-2002/03 South Australian Super League Adelaide United 2003/04 A-League A.P.I.A. Leichhardt Leichhardt Strikers 1979-1991/1992 New South Wales Premier League as Sydney Tigers Blacktown City 1980–1981 1984–1986 1989-1989/90 New South Wales Premier League Brisbane City Azzurri Brisbane City Gladiators 1977–1986 Brisbane Premier League Brisbane Lions Hollandia 1977–1986 1988 A-League as Brisbane Roar Brisbane Strikers Brisbane United 1991/92-2003/04 Queensland State League Brunswick Juventus Brunswick Pumas Melbourne BUSC Melbourne Zebras 1984–1988 1993/94-1994/95 Victorian Premier League as Whittlesea Zebras Canberra City Canberra City Arrows Canberra City Olympians 1977–1986 ACT Premier League Canberra Cosmos 1995/96-2000/01 Defunct Canterbury-Marrickville Canterbury-Marrickville Olympic 1986 New South Wales Premier League as West Sydney Berries Carlton S.C. 1997/98-2000/01 Defunct Collingwood Warriors 1996/1997 Defunct Football Kingz Auckland Kingz 1999/01-2003/04 Defunct; A-League 2005–07 as New Zealand Knights Footscray JUST Footscray Eagles Melbourne City JUST 1977–1989 Defunct Green Gully Green Gully Ajax 1984–1986 Victorian Premier League Heidelberg United Fitzroy United Heidelberg Alexander 1977–1987, 1989, 1990/91-1994/95 Victorian Premier League Inter Monaro 1985–1986 Defunct Marconi Stallions Marconi Fairfield Marconi-Datsun Leopards 1977-2003/04 New South Wales Premier League Melbourne Knights Essendon Lions Melbourne Croatia Melbourne CSC 1984-2003/04 Victorian Premier League Mooroolbark Mooroolbark United 1977 Victorian Provisional League One South-East Morwell Falcons Gippsland Falcons Eastern Pride 1992–2001 Defunct Newcastle Breakers Newcastle BHP Breakers 1991/92-1999/00 Defunct Newcastle KB United Newcastle United Newcastle KB Raiders 1978–1984 Defunct Newcastle Rosebud United Adamstown Rosebuds 1984–1986 NBN State Football League as Adamstown Rosebuds Newcastle United Jets Newcastle United 2000/01-2003/04 A-League Northern Spirit 1998/99-2003/04 Defunct Parramatta Eagles Melita 1984, 1989/90-1994/95 New South Wales Winter Super League Parramatta Power 1999/00-2003/04 Defunct Penrith City SC 1984–1985 Defunct Perth Glory 1996/97-2003/04 A-League Preston Lions FC Preston Rams Preston Makedonia 1981-1992/93 Victorian State League Division 1 South Melbourne South Melbourne Hellas South Melbourne Gunners South Melbourne Lakers 1977-2003/04 Victorian Premier League St George Saints St George Budapest 1977–1980, 1982-1990/91 New South Wales Winter Super League Sunshine George Cross 1984-1990/91 Victorian Premier League as Sunshine Georgies Sydney City Eastern Suburbs Hakoah Sydney City Slickers 1977–1987 NSW Conference League South Sydney Olympic Pan-Hellenic Sydney Olympians UTS Olympic Olympic Sharks 1977–1979 1981-2003/04 New South Wales Premier League Sydney United Sydney Croatia Sydney CSC Sydney United Pumas 1984-2003/04 New South Wales Premier League West Adelaide West Adelaide Hellas West Adelaide Hawks (West) Adelaide Sharks 1977–1986 1989/90 1991/92-1998/99 South Australian State League Western Suburbs 1977–78 amalgamated in 1978 with APIA Leichhardt Wollongong Macedonia Wollongong United Illawarra Lions 1990/91 Illawarra Premier League Wollongong Wolves Wollongong City 1981–1986 1988-2003/04 New South Wales Premier League
Johnno
Guest
Harry is a boy of the old NSL system. Junior Marconi player .Old NSL clubs were top quality and still are at producing juniors to senior stars just need more money form the FFA at grass roots in western sydney.
Johnno
Guest
Fuss thank you , all good communication breakdown misunderstanding in cyber land,perilsof the internet not being able to talk or use voice, keep up your quality work fuss a star in the football pages in here no question the roar love ur work I say this about the A-league Fuss. I would agree i have not been one of there biggiest fans and belong to the old NSL biters group even though i am only 31 but grew up on it a bit in the 1990's. i like the A-league and if one thinks logically the new A-league has been going sine 2005-6 season. Just era dup on the NSL fuss. The NSL started in 1977 and ended in 2004. SO the A-league now has been going for now going into 2011-12 seasons 25% of the old NSL's lifespan. The NSL is an old comp and well before 2004 was on a terminal illness id say from about 2000 onwards, end of the sydney 2000 Olympics. Norhtern spirit was if you like the last hope for them and when that crumbled that was it, and the Northern spirit wa skinda more like the clubs in a-league we have today. And not as we other have pointed out the old NSL had especially form the 1990's onwards teasm with no ethnic ties, brisbane strikers , perth glory, wollongong wolves. but now it is 2011 Auustralia is a differenct country the world is a different place and soccer has to be exposed i would say to the anglo saxon and Asian communities more which the A-league i trust the FFA wants that. However in saying that, it can't go extreme and exclude other cultures outside anglo saxon and Asia as we ar eno in there confederation. ANd the FFA can not go total football von dutch as the only football style. iI should emlploy other technical directors form other coutnries eg argentina,brazil, germany, italy, croatia,serbia,russia,spain,portugal, france. As Dutch have won no soccer world cups and won must seek variety. I am happy at least Ollsiek is a german and experience coaching Asia, a refreshing change form just Australia going totally dutch "Terra Australias". Love the old NSL names how retro what classic names like the old AFL , NBL,and NRL teams(eg fitzroy lions, Newtown jets). Brings back some good memories, sunshine george cross, and brunswick events and Green gully Ajax great names. i liked, i'll throw in Morwell falcons fuss,and gipplsland for you, or even carlton and collingwood who had teams in the old NSL at some stage.The mirabella cup has been good for the old NSL clubs. Some other old NSL teams ST George and Hakoah F.C(the club that seems to get mentioned on here more than any other club a-leauge or NSL for some reason coz of Frank Lowy's asscoatioan to Hakoah F.C). Some major reasons why less or these alleged or supposed 10's of thousands of old NSL fans are not turning up more is this. Old NSL did not get the same media coverage before the overhaulof soccer Australia, so struggled. AUstralia making the world cup has made soccer mainstream to anglo saxon communities, and now Asian communities through being part of the AFC. ALso now with globalisation and internet and social networks and pay tv really htting Austrlaia all these things. New A-league has so much more technology and ability to reach more people, than the old NSL clubs. Maybe melbourne cratia if they came back into the A-league they could do with croation pay tv and show games in split croatia and form alliances with Hadjuck split. And brunswick juventus could show pay tv games in italy especially in Turin to Brusnwick juve fans. Also other big factor is time and world changes. 2nd world war ended1945, now it is year 2011 in world and Australia. 1945 big euro immigration all countries to OZ Australia after WW2. Now immigration still form uk and irleand but not so much rest of euro. Big immigration from Asia mainly and USA, so the Euro generation here in OZ people like the Ned Zelic and mark viduka's they are 1st generation australians now and so will the children be. So despite globalision new immigration is now form asia and rightly so as they are our natural geographic neighbours not europe, even though Australasia is the official continent Australia is in. I am anglo saxon, but just as the eur ethnic lines in our soccer's teams over the years, i hope in the future we like cricket with Uzman PAKISTAN playing cricket for Australia, we see Asian heritage players in or team players of asian heritage form nations like China,india,Japan, Korea, phillipines, thailand, vietnam,sri lank,indonesia,malaysia. Whici bebelieve we will over the next 20 years. Look at Tim cavil he has some Samoan heritage in him. But the thing with soccer iis the A-league has to understand the complex issues of sydney. It is big spread out cities with distinct mini cities and dominant ethnic groups in different sides of sydney. And that is why team in western sydney is needed. as threes no such thing as 1 city in relaity in sydney And many more of these ethnic communities are based in inner west and west and south west of sydney. How the FFA and Frank Lowy work out a strategy to unite sydney's heartlands will be the key i think to soccer survival in this country. I think the best solution like AFL is doing GWS, NBL tried with west sydney razorbacks, NRL has many distinct west sydney teams , the A-league needs a soccer team in western sydney and should use the expertise of these real football people form italian and croatian and serbian backgrounds. i am angle saxon but these clubs produce a lot of juniors and former soccer's. still producing quality juniors. Yes numbers are dying but these clubs are famous and they are attracting good junior bases. But maybe not a western sydney team ran on ethnic lines but a west sydney team defiantly needed in the A-league if soccer is to go forwad in AUstralia, as that is where the heartland of grassroots football in sydney is at western sydney, not east sydney.
Nathan
Guest
Rojas and Solorzano are more exciting to me. But Harry will be great to watch. Rojas will have Europe calling in a while, so I can't see him staying around any longer. Might as well enjoy it while it lasts.
Evan Askew
Guest
Isn't Whittleseas Zebra's Brunswick Juventus? And it really is shocking to see Preston and Sunshine George Cross, the club that helped develop, Paul Trimboli, Andrew Marth, John Markovski, Kevin Muscat, Lorenz Kindtner, Damian Mori and Craig Foster, playing in the third tier of Victorian Football. I relish the prospect of those clubs matching themselves against Heart and Victory in the FFA cup at their boutique venues which are perfect for a crowd of 3 to 5k.
Rusty0256
Guest
...or in my case all the way down to Provisional League 1 South-East to watch my very first club Mooroolbark United which by the way (for Trivial Pursuit enthusiasts) happens to have been Australia's very first National sporting team when it became the first entrant to the national Soccer League in 1977. Go you Barkers!
asanchez
Roar Guru
Here comes Harry... He's already brought the A-league more attention than the FFA could buy with a $10m marketing budget. And this is all happening in AFL finals time in Melbourne, which is unheard of. Harry is still a top player, I watched the scratch match at the unveiling of the #22 shirt at AAMI Park, and while hes no spring chicken anymore, he was clearly head and shoulders above the rest, his vision, passing, composure and touch was easily recognized and you could tell you were watching someone who has played at the highest level. On Friday night in Adelaide, even Rini Coolen said Harry stood out, mind you he only played 45 mins, and he's not even match fit yet. As he said when he joined, the knockers will always be there, and god forbid he gets injured, the claw will then really come out. But in the meantime the only way he can keep the knockers away is by producing on the pitch. But overall, regardless if he produces on the pitch or not, he has already brought so much spotlight to our league, and the season hasn't even started yet. This is what the other codes do so well, in part due to their great relationships with the media, is they create this hype around their seasons, which brings people in through the gates and gets more people watching on TV. For me Harry has already done more for the league in terms of media than anyone ever before, and I'm expecting massive crowds this season. I'm predicting at least 40k at the Victory-SFC game, and massive crowds as he travels around the country, especially in Sydney and Brisbane. He'll even get a decent crowd up at the Gold Coast. From what I understand, A-league memberships accross the board are above on this time last season, with many more to come at the start of the new season, which is awesome. As a result of all of this, I think more sponsors will get on board, not only for the clubs, but also the A-league, and I believe this season will make a massive difference in what $$$ the FFA will get for their TV rights deal. Hopefully now the FFA can make the right decisions and get our great game back on the right track in Australia. Bring on Season 7!
Marcel
Guest
Harry will make a great contribution on the field...but if the media insist on interviewing him too often he will become the most disliked person in Australian sport within a year,
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Johnno - thanks for the clarification and I'm glad you are not wishing ill upon our lad, H! You have a love for the old-NSL - that's terrific. I played football all through my youth but never felt part of the NSL - just as some of you NSL-folk seem to feel alienated by the HAL. However, there's one big difference b/w us. Whilst, I didn't feel part of any NSL club, I NEVER EVER wanted the NSL to fail or wished harm upon the NSL in the way SOME ex-NSL folk carry on about the HAL. And, to be honest, I'm not sure what the old-NSL types are whinging about - they can still go and watch their clubs compete. ALLEGEDLY there are tens of thousands of disgruntled NSL fans in Australia. Tell me, are these tens of thousands turning up to watch their beloved teams play football or have they also abandoned their own teams? In the VPL you can still watch Melbourne Croatia, South Melbourne Hellas, Heidelberg Alexander, Green Gully Ajax. Go down a division and you can watch Sunshine George Cross and Preston Lions (although they finished bottom, so they fall even further away from the top Victorian football league). Go further down ... all the way to Provisional League Division 3 and you can watch Brunswick Juventus running around. And, to think, I played Provisional League Div 1, 15 years ago!
Midfielder
Guest
I just have a feeling in my bones about this year and Harry will help a lot...
Johnno
Guest
And let's be honest to Fuss harry Kewell is now a just turned 33 yr old man who is injury prone. He has come along way from Iran 97, and champions league titles and swirled cup qualifying 2005, and world cup 2006. It is now 2011 and harry is a 33 yr old man int he twilight of his career, i can see ohm going as long as teddy sheringham or david beckham.
Simmo
Guest
Optimism makes a change from our perpetual pessimism. But still... I'll believe it when I see it.
Johnno
Guest
Fuss i meant in the context of the article, and for the A-leauge yes it would be funny if he missed out in the context of the article. And yes i can laugh at the dark and sad side of life, one has to have some humourr in multiple forms, black comedy or black humour, or a sick sense of humour. And as can not speak on blogs one can not hear tone of voice to give energy to comment on can misunderstand or interpret. but i 100% hope no player gets a serious or career injury especially H K Kewell who was a genuine aussie soccer star at the highs level. . I ifelt for Jason cullina, and also i might point out fuss i felt for the melbourne heart player who got injured in a sickening tackle i might add by one of your men former melbourne Victory captain and now retied socceroo legend kevin muscat. He also mussky caused a injury to the french player roberto pires i think his name was in world cup lead up friendly in 2001 in driving rain at the MCg which Zinadene Zidane played in. So your team victory has not got a team full of angels, lets be honest Muscy is no angel fuss. i find it funny how you did not mention mussy here Fuss one of your own Victory men. Both kevin Muscat, and Danny Tiato have been the most fiery and aggressive soccer players i have seen so far since i start watching soccer. And Fus my old friend i like your work and love your contribution in here i am like many roarers on here big fans of your work and your provide a quality energy to the sports blogs on the football section mainly that all roarers really like, . But yes i am an old NSL biter fuss, and the resin many hate the new league format is 2 reasons at least i thinka nd i try and write quick. The perceived isolation of many other soccer coutnries and communities in multicultural australia. Yes the FFA went Von Dutch, but what about the migrant contribution from the italians, the greeks, the turks, the maltese, the croationa , the serbs. A; precieved to be left out from the mainstream of the new football order in Australia. So may soccer fans real football whose clubs have produced many soccer's eg Marconi , sydney olympic, Hakoah F.C, Melbourne and Sydney croatia, south Melbourne Hellas, Adelaide city, west adelaide, parramatta melita, Apia Leichardt, felt left out fuss.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
There is genuine optimism on the Twittersphere that the the first three games on the opening night of the A-League might draw a combined attendance figure of 100,000.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Johnno Do you hate the HAL that much that you really think it would be funny for Harry to cop a season-ending injury? I've got huge competitive dislike for all the other HAL teams, but I would NEVER wish an injury on any player from any team. I hope Emmo, Nicky Carle, Smeltz, Broich, Ifill, play every game this year. I can understand if you don't want the HAL to succeed, but to find humour from someone's career being threatened is pretty disgusting. The level of hatred for the HAL from non-HAL fans is incredible and, I can only imagine, this hatred will get more vocal as the HAL continues to grow and the non-HAL fans continue to wallow in their insignificant little worlds pondering "the old days".
Johnno
Guest
I'd laugh if he gets an injury in the 1st match and is out for the season ala, Jason Culina, then his contribution will not be so big.
jamesb
Guest
can't wait for the season the start. BTW: i like Victorys new away uniform. Very classy
Bondy
Guest
Enjoyable read, the Kewell hype has exceeded my expectations so far .