The Natural Harry Kewell

Harry: 10 steps from boy to man

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FOOTBALL+ 2010 WORLD CUP SOUVENIR

HERE are two things to take from Socceroos coach Pim Verbeeks likely decision to play Harry Kewell as a lone striker during this World Cup, and neither has anything to do with a desperate Dutchman. Number one: Kewell is a man who can deliver. Second: Theres no one else quite like Kewell. Over the past decade, there have been more than 150 Australians playing in Europe at any particular moment but for many people Kewell, who has never played for a club at senior level in Australia, was always the Socceroos biggest star. He was the only guy people were really interested in knowing about. The one with the mysterious X-Factor. One of the great untold tragedies of Australian football is that some of their greatest talents were swept away by failings or curses that meant they never realised their full potential. Mark Bosnich found cocaine; Ned Zelic fought injury and clashed with then Socceroos coach Frank Farina; Paul Okon wrestled with injury; Mark Viduka was worn down by professional footballs daily grind. Kewell, too, hit a wall with bizarre injuries that went incorrectly diagnosed for many years, a situation that effectively ruined his time at Liverpool and threatened his career. As he explains here: so close, yet so far. But put a wall in front of Kewell and hell climb over it or at least find a way around it. The 2010 World Cup will likely be Kewells last stand in a Socceroos shirt. In a tough group that Kewell suggests may turn into a streetfight, hes one man you might want next to you with your back against the wall. Here, Kewell guides us through the 10 factors that have shaped his career and hints that he may just have a few tricks left yet.

MEETING DAVID LEE: WUNDERKID SUPER COACH Young Harry Kewell was already getting attention as a talented teenager kicking dust around the western suburbs of Sydney when he met David Lee, a well-renowned youth coach. At 13, Kewell had been playing for school sides and local club Marconis junior teams but mentor Lees soccer school elevated Kewells game and, importantly, his attitude. Once I joined up with David Lee it enhanced my football ability ten-fold, Kewell says. I knew nothing about him just that he had an academy. I was only new on the scene but I went up there and shut my mouth and did my work and tried to learn as much as possible. You knew that if you werent good enough you could be kicked out. He always wanted a high standard and you had to meet it. I always wanted to play at the highest level. I remember saying to mates when I was 10 or 11 that I wanted to play overseas. That was where the best players were.

LEEDS UNITED: THE TEENAGE DEBUT On March 30, 1996, a straggly-haired 17-yearold Australian lined up for Leeds United against Middlesbrough in a mid-table Premier League match of little consequence unless you were Harry Kewell. But history was being made. After Harry impressed in the youth team and reserves, Leeds boss Howard Wilkinson had decided he was good enough and old enough. The boy was on his way. Id seen a few of my mates get put into the first team squad but, for me, it was a shock to the system. It was my first year at Leeds and I didnt think that I was going to get a chance. I hadnt even really trained with the first team that much, so when I was called into the squad I couldnt fathom it. I didnt understand. I remember getting changed it was a cold Yorkshire Saturday but the actual game was just a blur. I do know that I started and I played 81 minutes and that it was the biggest thing in my life at the time even though we lost 1-0. But

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there were no nerves at all. I was playing with some great players Gary McAllister, Gary Speed, Gary Kelly, and Carlton Palmer. They all pushed me to the limit and they all made me stay on my toes. Like any other kid, I thought I had made it but, of course, I hadnt. There was no difference for me between playing in front of small crowds and then at Elland Road in front of a big crowd. I thrive on a bigger crowd. Ive known players better than me who have frozen on a big stage but I enjoy the crowd. I enjoy entertaining people.

THE PRODIGY: THE SOCCEROO DEBUT Antofagasta in Chile was the low-key location for Kewells debut for Australia on April 24, 1996 just one month after his first game for Leeds United. For this ill-timed friendly, Socceroos coach Eddie Thomson had to juggle no-shows from European-based players as well as his top locals being unavailable because of National Soccer League playoffs. Australias line up that night included Mark Bosnich, Kevin Muscat, Paul Wade and Danny Tiatto. Striker Joe Spiteri was sent off after 31 minutes and the Socceroos lost 3-0. But you know what? Kewell recalls. I think I played alright in that game. I was at left wingback. At corners, I had to mark Ivan Zamorano. He was one of my favourite players of all time and I was thinking, Hang on a sec, Im 17 years old and Im marking him. Whats going on? But I stood my ground. I felt comfortable. I enjoyed it. The team was great. The coach was great. They all gave me support. Was there a difference between club football and

international football? I was a 17-year-old boy. It didnt matter whether it was international or club level. I was going crazy.

WORLD CUP DISASTER; AUSTRALIA v IRAN, NOV. 1997 Australias coach Terry Venables dropped Kewell straight into the boiling cauldron of Tehrans Azadi Stadium for the World Cup playoff. Pressure? The teenage upstart announced himself with a simmering goal after just 19 minutes to set up a creditable 1-1 draw. Back in Melbourne for the second leg, Australia was cruising at 2-0 up, Kewell again on the scoresheet. France 98 here we come. You know what happened next: Johnny Warren cried on television. Wed scored two goals and were going to France, Kewell says. But it just goes to show a game lasts for 90 minutes. Not 71 or 75. People might say, Oh, but that guy came on and ruined the net, but no. We stuffed up. It was very disappointing. I was 18 years old and could have been going to a World Cup! I know exactly what went wrong. We tried to play offside and there was a defender 10 yards behind everyone else. I remember Venables saying clearly: Dont play offside. What did I learn? That I dont like losing.

LEEDS UNITEDS BIG EURO ROADTRIP Leeds United peaked during the 2000-2001 season, manager David OLeary overseeing a young team driven by Kewell and Socceroo teammate Mark Viduka. The Great Leeds Eurotrip of 2000 began in a qualifying round win over 1860 Munich (starring Ned Zelic and Paul Agostino), taking in wins over Milan, Besiktas, Lazio, and Deportivo La Corua before running out of gas against Valencia in the semi final. We were just a bunch of young kids enjoying football, Kewell says. You could have just sent us out there without a manager and we could have done what we were going to do anyway. We had a good team spirit and we just went out there, worked hard for each other, and enjoyed playing. We had a culture there that was different. Even players that came in were young and up for a laugh and up to work hard. Every team member on that bus, when we used to go to games and then come home, we were all together. I have never seen anything like it at any other team.

LIVERPOOL: WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN Kewell joined Liverpool from Leeds United amid much fanfare in 2003 having been courted by Manchester United, Arsenal, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Barcelona. The stage was set for greatness until injury, incorrectly diagnosed and mistreated, cruelly curbed the dream. Kewell was signed by French manager Gerard Houllier but had a rollercoaster relationship with his successor, Spaniard Rafael Benitez. Gerard Houllier was a great manager, from my point of view, Kewell says. But I arrived at Liverpool at a time when they were in transformation and I possibly caught the wrong end of it. I was looking forward to working with Houllier but it only turned out to be for a year. There have been a few things in the media said about me and Benitez but I think hes a great manager. My last six months at Liverpool were a little bit iffy but thats football. He knows the business. I know the business. Thats what happens. You cant worry about it you just have to get on with it. I knew what I could do but my injuries killed me there.

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FOOTBALL+ 2010 WORLD CUP SOUVENIR

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ISTANBUL DISASTER: 2005 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL Kewell had been instrumental in Liverpools run to the 2005 UEFA Champions League final against AC Milan even though hed been battling a mysterious injury for much of the season. Benitez named him in his starting line-up, planning to attack the Italians. With Liverpool 1-0 down early in the game, Kewell ripped his adductor muscle and his own teams fans booed as he limped from the pitch. Liverpool came back from 3-0 down to dramatically win on penalties. I was proud to go out there and play but it turned out to be a nightmare for me, Kewell recalls. Liverpool won a great game but on an individual level, it killed me. People say that I walked out there, I lined up, I played, but I did nothing. For me, I havent won anything substantial with a team yet. I was part of a team that won two great trophies [2005 Champions League and the 2006 FA Cup, where Kewell was injured again during the game] but it was disappointing on both occasions. I even remember people saying, in the FA Cup I had a great game against Chelsea in the semi final, I won that game for us. OK, maybe, but for any footballer, you can go through all the qualifying games but it means nothing unless you play in the final. The important thing is to finish the job.

STUTTGART, 2006. CROATIA 2, AUSTRALIA 2 (Moore, 38, Kewell, 79). In one of the best matches at the 2006 World Cup, Australia required a draw against Croatia to progress from the group. A hard-fought see-saw game with bungles, yellow cards (Josip Simunic getting three), red cards and goals galore. As the clock ticked down, right place, right time, Kewell found the net and broke Croatian hearts. Meanwhile, he sent Australia into football frenzy and maybe changed our cultural history. To score in a World Cup was fantastic, Kewell says. Even though our third (disallowed) goal should have stood, to put us through to the next round was a brilliant feeling. But it didnt matter whether it was me or anyone else who scored, it was just important to get that goal. Wed done enough to draw the game if not win it. Everyone was blaming the referee for this, that,

and the other, but it must have been a good game to watch. I preferred the Brazil game, though. I thought we handled ourselves very well against them.

ISTANBUL DELIGHT: GALATASARAY In July 2008, out of contract after not agreeing a new deal with Liverpool, Kewell signed for Turkish club Galatasaray. The move surprised some but emphasised Kewells love for the unpredictable. In two seasons in Istanbul, Kewell rediscovered his form and became a local hero, indispensable to coach Frank Rijkaard. In brief: Galatasaray has seen Kewell reborn. I only went over to Istanbul to have a look at the Galatasaray facilities but came back with a two-year contract, Kewell laughs. It has rejuvenated me. It has got me back to playing football. It has got me back to enjoying the game again. Especially with Frank Rijkaard, the manager now. The way I want to play football is exactly the same way he teaches. What makes managers special? How they communicate. Players have to know who is boss. It is a difficult job thats why there are so few great managers. Ive worked with some of the best and a couple of donkeys as well.

There are a few things we learn from this team: Harry is unpredictable, likes passers and dribblers, but is also loyal. Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina, Spains reserve, ahead of Iker Casillas or Gianluigi Buffon? Well, why not? Intriguingly, Kewell opts for a Brazilian-influenced defence rather than attack. His attacking trident is short on height. But when its made up of ball-playing stars Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney, there probably wont be too many long balls played into the box.

HARRYS WORLD CUP FANTASY TEAM

1. PePe ReinA
Spain (Liverpool) Pepe has been great for Liverpool, not just week-in-week-out, but year-in-year-out, and I know he is always cool under pressure.

6. cRisTiAnO ROnALDO

Portugal (Real Madrid) Hes proven that he could get even better after leaving a great club like Manchester United. That says it all.

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7. XAvi HeRnAnDez 2. MAicOn

Brazil (Inter Milan) Not just a great right back with lots of experience in Italy, but he gets forward with crosses and also scores important goals. Spain (Barcelona) Xavi is always on his game and totally unpredictable in a good way.

2010 WORLD CUP: UNFINISHED BUSINESS? Harry Kewells 2006 World Cup ended on crutches as he watched an Australian team shorn of its most dynamic talent (Kewell and suspended Brett Emerton) lose to Italy in the knockout stage. What could have been? Who cares. Thats the past. But if he needed any extra motivation, South Africa could be about unfinished business for Kewell. Can Australia top their 2006 performance? It is going to be tough, he says. Everyone is expecting us to go, We got to the last 16 last time, maybe we can go one step further. We have drawn a tough group but every team in a World Cup is tough and everyone is going to be wary of us this year. They are all going to be up for it and they are all going to know who we are and what were about. It is going to be twice as hard as 2006 and we are going to be struggling to play nice football. Were going to have to go out there and stand our ground, counter-attack, and be strong, physically, and put teams off. Well soon find out if having the same team as 2006 is an advantage or not. There are people giving us grief for the way were playing but were winning games. Thats the important thing. If we can make it out of the first round not playing decent football, everyone will be happy with that. This day and age, it doesnt matter how you play. It is about getting a result. Oh, we do have a secret weapon but Im not going to tell you what it is.

8. XABi ALOnsO
Spain (Real Madrid) My old teammate has improved further since leaving Liverpool. A great midfield anchor for club and country.

3. LuciO
Brazil (Inter Milan) Brazils captain. Importantly, hes the guy who will organise this defence well and he can also play the ball out like a midfielder.

9. FRAnck RiBeRy
France (Bayern Munich) Hes probably the best left-winger in the world.

4. DAnieL AggeR
Denmark (Liverpool) Hes been very unlucky with injuries but I think hes as good, if not better, than any centre back in the world.

10. LiOneL Messi

Argentina (Barcelona) Messi can play any attacking position on the park brilliantly. For an opposition defender, that makes him impossible to contain.

5. PATRice evRA
France (Manchester United) Patrice is a top defender and can also dribble well going forward. His passing and crossing is also top class.

11. WAyne ROOney

England (Man United) For me, Wayne Rooney is the best player in the world at the moment. He can produce something special no matter how badly his team is playing. If hes fit this June, he can win the World Cup for England.

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FOOTBALL+ 2010 WORLD CUP SOUVENIR

FOOTBALL+ 2010 WORLD CUP SOUVENIR

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