Australia’s Harry Kewell said yesterday he was looking forward to playing as a central striker at the Asian Cup and felt 100% fit despite a recent lack of match practice.
Kewell normally plays as a left-sided winger with his Premiership club Liverpool but Australia coach Graham Arnold has said he plans to use him in a central striker’s role behind spearhead Mark Viduka.
Kewell was enthusiastic about the change, despite not playing as an out-and-out striker since his days with Leeds United.
“It’s one of my favourite positions, I won’t deny that, and I’m quite sure a lot of players love that position because it’s a main position,†Kewell told reporters.
The 28-year-old has not played for Australia since he scored a late equaliser against Croatia to secure the Socceroos’ passage into the second round of last year’s World Cup in Germany.
He spent much of the past year beset by foot and groin injuries, only making a comeback in Liverpool’s final two games of the season before playing the last 30 minutes of the club’s defeat to AC Milan in May’s Champions League final.
Kewell declared himself 100% fit, saying he had maintained a training regime with his club during his stint on the sidelines.
“(For) six months I’ve been working, and I’ve been training with the team up to four months doing full training sessions,†he said.
“I’m one hundred percent fit now, I’ve taken 11 months off to recoup with all my injuries but I’m fully fit now and I’m raring to go.â€
“I can’t wait (to play for Australia). It’s been a long time since the last game which was against Croatia.
“I’m really looking forward to meeting up with the boys and getting this tournament off to a good start.â€
Australia are one of the favourites for the Asian Cup, where they are grouped with co-hosts Thailand, Iraq and Oman in Bangkok.
The Socceroos will begin arriving in Singapore later this week for a pre-tournament training camp, including a friendly against Singapore on June 30.
i think harry has turned the corner with his fitness and attitude, i wish him all the best and hope he plays well because he is an intergral part to any success we will have
LFTWNG11 wrote:dnt worry, he'll be injured again soon enough... Cullina, Grella and Bresciano are the keys... Cahill is over-rated, a wanka and generally shit
not that theres anything wrong with that....
for mine kewell and dukes are the keys and i dont think timmy is shit
LFTWNG11 wrote:dnt worry, he'll be injured again soon enough... Cullina, Grella and Bresciano are the keys... Cahill is over-rated, a wanka and generally shit
