Harry Kewell has left Socceroos great Tim Cahill out of his all-time Australian XI.
Kewell opted for himself and Mark Viduka ahead of Cahill, who is Australia’s leading goalscorer.
“I’m definitely playing up front! And of course, it has to be Dukes (Viduka) as well,” he said when picking a side for ESPN from his Socceroos teammates during his 16-year international career.
“I loved every moment I played in the green and gold jersey. There’s no special moment because I enjoyed every moment.”
Kewell, now under 21 coach at English Premier League side Watford, chose a 4-4-2 formation without Cahill or current Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak.
He named Guus Hiddink, who took Australia past the group stage at the 2006 World Cup, as manager.
Kewell’s XI: Mark Schwarzer, Kevin Muscat, Craig Moore, Lucas Neill, Stan Lazaridis, Brett Emerton, Vince Grella, Josip Skoko, Mark Bresciano, Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka.
Geoff Foley
Roar Rookie
The Duke was often used as a solo target man up front in Socceroos games, holding up the ball, creating for others to score goals. Whilst he didn't score many goals, being an international forward, particularly in those days when the Roos rarely had competitive matches and little time to organise beforehand, was very different to playing at club level. He will rightly be the first pick centre-forward for Roos XIs for a very long time. In a completely different class to any other Aussies in that position. Timmy is a number 9 or winger for mine in a best XI, coming in off the bench after 65 minutes to bury a header.
Ian
Guest
please see above comment that required moderation
144
Roar Guru
Disappointing considering he played with him and he won so much with him and considering what he has achieved since he last played with him.
josh
Guest
Thanks for your 0.02 Ian, round down to work out the value. Half the lineup, feel free to post proof otherwise.
Ian
Guest
I'd prefer to hear you bleat on about the Mariners 'stealing' a WSW player again. Of course the WSW team has not a single player from outside Parramatta on their books. Paella anyone? (not sure why this comment is being moderated though)
Ian
Guest
Thanks for the tongue in cheek reply AZ
AZ_RBB
Guest
That's because they usually get mugged and then can't afford to leave.
josh
Guest
Name one then Ian...
Ian
Guest
that's because you consider anyone who has travelled through western sydney to actually be from western sydney.
SM
Guest
Why is Jedinak even mentioned in the article?
TheVolley
Guest
Viduka could not score goals for Socceroos until Socceroos played Thailand in our first Asian Cup campaign. Stil he only managed a few goals in total. Not sure why he is there. Without Cahill Socceroos would have been in trouble many times.
Brick Tamland of the pants party
Guest
Probably not far off the side we would have seen take the pitch in the 02 World Cup had we qualified.
Josh
Guest
About half the lineup is from Western Sydney. Socceroos production line strikes again.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
If he'd picked Cahill the headline would have read "Kewell snubs Viduka in all-time Socceroos".
Ian
Roar Pro
The magnanimous thing to do would be to have put Cahill in the team instead of himself
Simoc
Guest
Its not a snub. Viduka and Kewell are better.
fadida
Guest
And fair enough too. Jedinak wouldn't be in the top 50