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He’s Australia’s most celebrated soccer player. And though many wouldn’t have believed it in 2001 it looks as though Harry Kewell will play in three World Cups.
With Robbie Kruse’s heartbreaking ACL tear virtually ruling the 25-year-old out of Brazil, Kewell’s stocks took a boost. Now back from his own injury woes, there is a groundswell of support for the talisman.
But he needs to convince one more man – Ange Postecoglou.
After failing to qualify for the 2002 World Cup, it seemed Harry Kewell would suffer the fate of so many great Aussie soccer players. The World Cup looked the impossible dream after Uruguay gave the Socceroos another taste of ‘so close yet so far’.
Australia then went on to reach the 2006 World Cup and 2010 World Cup with Harry Kewell playing a role on both occasions.
Kewell’s late goal against Croatia sent Australia through to the knockout stage in Germany but his experience in South Africa was nightmarish. Brought down in the box against Ghana and ignored, he was later red carded for handball.
Good and bad, Kewell has seen it all, and the wealth of knowledge at his disposal can only benefit the youth around him.
Kewell’s chances of travelling to Brazil looked slim just over a month ago, when he had yet to complete 90 minutes for Melbourne Heart.
But gradually Kewell has built up match fitness, and it’s no coincidence that Melbourne Heart’s on-field fortunes have taken a turn for the better since his return.
Coinciding with Kewell’s lift in form and game time was the devastating news of Robbie Kruse’s ACL injury. The 25-year-old attacker will need to perform a miracle to be ready by May 13, when the preliminary 30-man squad is announced.
The standard recovery time for ACL injuries is a minimum of six months before the individual can return to the high impact activity which soccer involves, and Socceroos manager Ange Postecoglou is a staunch advocate of players with game time under their belt.
This fact virtually rules Kruse out.
It all comes down to Postecoglou. Is there some lingering discontent between Kewell and Postecoglou after Harry’s departure from Melbourne Victory in 2012?
Will the manager dig in stubbornly against the tide of momentum being built by Kewell’s form, and advocates such as Slater and Harper?
The two were heard in pre- and post-match discussions on Friday night’s telecast of the Melbourne Heart’s win over Sydney FC, building the case for Kewell.
Even opposition manager Frank Farina conceded, “Harry Kewell was outstanding tonight, he out-muscled us.”
Fans won’t have to wait long to see if Postecoglou has any bitterness toward Kewell as an unconfirmed friendly with Ecuador is planned for March 5. His form warrants selection, and there are few other striking options.
Over to you Ange.
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