Nearpost Football: Harry Kewell

Showing posts with label Harry Kewell. Show all posts

Showing posts with label Harry Kewell. Show all posts

Saturday, 3 December 2011

Lynchy after FFA award like Cockerill as well?

Mike Cockerill got his FFA Award this week, and fair play to him. You do the time, 30 years - you get an award.

I'm no fan of Mike's football analysis, he knows that - his tactical and player movements on and around the park leave a lot to be desired for this football fan. I grew up in the UK!

His newspaper work is different - he rarely analyses the football from a tactical perspective. But writes the stories of the day. Often over the years using his job to push dumb ideas - Richard Porta for one, Wollongong A-League beat-ups another, big crowd coming to the SFS yet another - and of course his particular own vitriole in the Harry Kewell saga down the years.

Odd that one - personal, yes, professional? I'd question. Certainly more Daily Telly than SMH.

And now we have his comrade at Fairfax down in Melbourne doing the same. Lynchy a far better football writer in my view, is now hammering Kewell at every opportunity.

Pay back time for Bernie Mandic's refusal to allow Harry to talk to Mike and Mick down the years? Or does Lynch see the only way to get into the FFA Hall of Fame is to follow Mike Cockerill and slag Kewell!

Bizarre stuff - by my count the last four major Lynchy pieces have been having a go at Harry. Does he deserve that many questions over his personal coach, his contribution, his contract - and all in the space of a week or two - or since Bernie left.

Maybe Bernie gone, it's time to write about Harry - negatively. Maybe Bernie protected Harry better than we knew!

Dunno - but it all seems very odd, the strength of analysis, the amount of analysis. Odd timing.

Monday, 28 November 2011

Is Harry finished? Someone's got to ask it.

Now Craig Foster and the like can ooze over Harry's nice touch, his nice pass - so can I - but come on Australia - how many has there been?

Is the Emperor wearing any clothes?

We all want Harry to do Harry stuff - but Carlos is outperforming him. If you want skill, touch and goals look to Carlos Hernandez.

Harry Kewell may have a lot to contribute but how long will we have to wait. In the meantime Archie is being Archie, Carlos Carlos not to mention those pesky Roar entertainers up North.

Sure Harry can bring a lot to a team he was advising on the field yesterday (loved to know what he was saying) - but what is he bringing with his feet, with the ball.

Minimal by anyone's standards?

A great penalty, a few touches yesterday but too many times the greatest Australian player was caught in possession unable to move quickly enough to get out of trouble.

Is Harry finished. After seven games it's a fair question......but you didn't hear it from me!

Saturday, 17 September 2011

Waiting for Harry? Interesting times in football

Waiting for Harry - not even a game on!

Harry also got 10 minutes or so on the Melbourne AFL TV footy show during the week in the middle of the AFL Finals series - despite the (usual) odd comment from the commentator who said he didn't really like or watch soccer - tv audience, clearly mad AFL fans were really pleased to see Harry.

Because most fans of sport can enjoy other codes, skilful players and characters. No brainer.

Sam Stoser, Cadel Evans, Sally Pearson, Quade Cooper, Buddy Franklin, Darren Lockyer, Harry Kewell, Lisa De Vanna, Tim Cahill - we appreciate skill in all codes, all sports.

Now if the gooses from Aussie media who still denigrate football over and over could just get over their wee bias. Imagine if when they spoke about the game they produced 4/5 interesting and/or possibly occasionally positive football article for every completely negative stereotyped ladened trash/rant they give us - football as a professional league would clearly over time have significantly less problems I suspect - and certainly more money.

After all if you can make the AFL into "the best in the world" and/or the NRL I can't see why you can't positively promote the A-League, particularly as the standard is so professional these days - much the way Fox Sports do. Critical, of course, when they have to be - just without all the fear of the game.

Murdoch hold 70% of Aussie Media - yet I reckon the journos who rant do not reflect the views of the community.

Wednesday, 7 September 2011

Harry arrives on Monday 6am - Just calm down!

Harry's coming home, have you heard?

And he'll be here on Monday morning around 6am. Calm down.

Wednesday, 24 August 2011

How will AFL swat the latest football blowy?

Cashed up and paranoid AFL have another wee problem to solve.

Delighted when they assisted to sabotage the World Cup bid, ecstatic when the recent growth of professional football was halted; if A-League crowds and failing teams/owners is anything to go by; the all powerful AFL must have thought they'd thwarted football expansion.

Cashed up they switched to focus on Western Sydney - although they may yet need to assist, or get rid of a few other teams as their competition flounders under the weight of an increased number of teams, hence meaningless games and of course in some cases falling crowds.

Now there is Harry Kewell, and he's in Melbourne. in bloody Melbourne. Even the Herald Sun will feel they have to cover Harry and his groins! Suddenly Ben Cousins, Gary Ablett and co don't seem such big stars do they?

Now I know and you know that one ageing footballer doesn't solve many problems, if any, and when you are up against a huge juggernaut like the AFL Harry hardly matters...does it?

But the AFL swat everything that enters their sights, and where football is concerned the biggest fly has just landed in the middle of Andrew Demetriou's meat pie.

So how will they respond to this biggest of blow flies?

It's a tricky one. It's not a one-off game, Harry's here for three years. And he's still a Socceroo and has cross-code, cross-gender appeal.

Can't wait to see the response.

They must have thought they'd done enough when the World Cup Bid was lost and the A-League ran off to October. Almost ticked football off the list of problems to be "solved."

But of course our entry into Asia has meant that despite the A-League woes, the Socceroos are never too far from playing a meaningful game - and of course the nature of our game, the World Game, means however fleeting our financialsuccesses, we can always bring in a Kewell or even a David Beckham to give us a boost and much needed airspace.

We have deep and severe problems but if we can keep our clubs playing, increase crowds marginally and see TV viewing figures rise on the back of Kewell we could enter a period of slower and more sustainable growth - hopefully an increased TV deal.

This has to be the aim - once we have a sustainable product - bringing in the odd superstar to peak interest becomes more possible. What impact could that have on a growing fanbase?

Something no other code in Australia can do.

The AFL has won many battles in recent year, almost the war - but of course the love of the game, the numbers who play, and the global nature of the thing, despite all our problems, if we can just hang in there, sow a few pockets of growth, who knows how we might be able to fight back in years to come.

If the AFL are Gaddafiesque we are the Guerilllas - hitting and running - and eventually we can make some real noise and pain.

At least this latest blow fly will take a while to kill - and that will be fun to watch!

Monday, 22 August 2011

Harry is back - rejoice!

Harry Kewell is back to play in Australia, in the A-League and I like most other football fans are delighted.

Sure on Twitter, The Australian's Ray Gatt and surprisingly The Age's Mick Lynch, have been defending the so-called "opinion piece" from Sydney Morning Herald writer and Fox Sports Commentator Mike Cockerill on Harry's return - oh how Mike despises Harry. Didn't he miss the mood of football in Australia today?

The defence of "he's entitled to his opinion" has been tweeted by fellow journos. Hard to believe they would resort to that line for an SMH/Fox Sports journo!

For me Craig Foster speaks for football, for football fans, about this special moment for the game. Read his article on the World Game today.

We all know Harry's injuries, but we also all know he took the game to Uruguay, scored against Croatia and nearly won the Asian Cup for us in January.

Mike seems to think he has some real insight into Kewell that we miss. He doesn't.

We're a tad better educated about football than he thinks - unarguably better than Mike. Who else thought that Richard Porta should have lead us to the last World Cup etc etc?

Cadell Evans gave the nation great excitement in the Tour De France recently. And for many followers of the round ball Harry's goal at Arsenal, his mesmerising displays for Leeds were of similar merit, achievements, on a World Stage.

What footballer would want to walk off in a Champions League Final after the injuries he'd had - the disappointments - that Kewell has worked to remain in the game and return is to his credit. Pity Mike Cockerill can't see beyond his own narrow view of Kewell. Maybe Mike is too close.

Harry could have played more for the Socceroos -

He played for the Socceroos when he felt like it

scorns Cockerill.

What the five World Cup campaigns and two Asia Cups weren't enough?

Mike in reality the friendlies and OFC games he may have missed might have disappointed you but name any game he really missed of any importance?

And the game in the UK is a tad more complex for young players than your simple assertions might suggest.

Injuries, club pressures, the state of Aussie football, demand of the Premier League and pressure for places may all have contributed. Why not judge the guy on the games he did play?

But of course that doesn't sit with your continued line of attack does it. The World Cup is over Mike - was the handball his fault - get over it !

And if Harry gets injured this time around, makes a bad pass, will we have to read your "I told you so" moments.

How different yours will be to Johnny Warrens!

Really this is a good news story for football - one we've been waiting for, for a long time.

And you'd think Mike C - the so-called most experienced football writer in the country, disputed by Ray Gatt - would have a different focus for his article today.

Mike so missed the mood of football in Australia on this one - and he forgot to get stuck into Socceroo Captain Lucas Neill and Mark Bresciano who have both headed to the Middle East rather than the A-League in recent days.

But that it seems is hardly worthy of any comment!

Harry Kewell is back - football is the winnner - and Mike no doubt will get much more air and media opportunities as a result of Harry's return.

Now that's a negative! And that's my opinion and I'm "entitled to it."

Saturday, 20 August 2011

Harry v Robbie v Mike - A match made in a Fox Sports Studio!

well certain parts of the Aussie football media has slated Harry over the years. Most recently Roy Master (who knows sod all about the game), and Mike Cockerill and Robbie Slater have also given it to him.

Completely unfairly in my view.

Be interesting to see how those guys cover there arses as the season goes on. Or will Mike C in particular run his anti-Kewell line over and over.

Post-game press conferences should be entertaining - and can't wait to see Harry alongside Robbie and Mike on Foxsports!

Harry to Melbourne - the perfect fit

If you have played at the top in front of the Kop when you return home you want to have some passion, some feeling from a large crowd.

And what better team to sign for than the one with the biggest fanbase.

The Victory are already popular on the road - but the Derbies, Adelaide and Sydney games have just gone up a notch.

Be interesting to see a Victory support re-energised and numbers swelling as you'd expect.

Melbourne v Sydney is the season opener for the Victory - Harry's debut - wow that should get a bit of interest!

Harry is coming - rejoice!

Harry Kewell the man who so nearly won the Asian Cup for Australia, in January 2011 is expected to sign for Melbourne Victory for THREE YEARS tomorrow.

This is great news for football fans, for the A-League and Australian football.

The process may have been long and arduous but Australia's greatest player will return to Australia at just 32.

When you see what Ryan Giggs and Dwight Yorke have achieved playing intelligent football beyond their 30's there is no reason to expect Harry won't be able to do the same. He might turn from striker to midfielder as the years go by.

And won't that be worth watching.

Welcome home Harry!

Tuesday, 5 July 2011

Harry Kewell: The time to come home is now.

Don't get Twitter? Do yourself a favour and have some fun - check out the fantastic tweets on Our Harry from the funny Aussies.
http://twitter.com/#!/search/realtime/%23kewellaleaguedemands

And check out Bernie Mandic - the interview that started this whole thing on Monday - hear what Harry's agent actually said.

http://www.sen.com.au/audioplayer/Audio/Harry-Kewells-manager-Bernie-Mandic/2588

Why do people keep throwing money at us

- Bernie Mandic

so they keep throwing money - but you are still not happy - and when you ask for 70% of all away gates - that ain't good enough.

We don't want any financial guarantees

- just to stuff the League you are coming to promote. No room for negotiation, nice try, and nice to try and blame Kyle Patterson - piss weak actually Bernie.

So hard ball we play - and guess who looks like an idiot in his own country - reputation shattered - by his Agent.

One can only imagine Harry has had a better more interesting financial guaranteed offer from somewhere that suits.

Time to come home Harry, do the deal, for the good of your name and your family.

Sunday, 12 June 2011

We love Harry but - FFA: Harry or the kids? Nearpost solution is free.

I love to go to the beach and build a castle, a sand castle. But despite all the oohs and aahs from passers by I know that in the arvo someone will have come by and stamped on my creation.

Nothing permanent.

And such is football in Australia - it seems to me.

How many times have we heard Manchester United are coming, or in recent times Celtic, Juventus or Beckham. Now I think such "events" are great and assist the game but where's the substance - long-term.

And of course add in Robbie Fowler, Ian Rush, Dwight Yorke, George Best Juninho, Romario - yes we've had a heap - and still our clubs at the professional level are built on my sandcastle.

Clive Palmer has pumped in millions, so Con Constantine (lest we forget) Tony Sage (christ how much money can one guy waste on an ageing team - again) and many others.

No club has anything to show for it, no certainty of real tenure given the ongoing size of the losses.

We're in a pickle.

And now Bernie Mandic, Harry's Agent is feeding us juicy bits - Harry is interested.

Jesse Fink, is off to India, but before he goes he thinks Harry should come and save the league and the FFA should pay, nay Lowy or was that Mike Cockerill. Nind you they also thought Nicky Carle and Ricardo Porto should lead the Socceroos in 2010!

Harry would be great - with and for everyone. Even the anti-football media would want a piece for a while. But can we afford him?

Craig Foster wrote a great piece on the cost of football for kids - he's right with all the kids paying for our adult brethren, men in most cases, to play in front of two men and a dog. And some of that rego goes to the FFA.

Can Bernie Mandic really demand that his client gets more than $600,000 in which case the FFA (your kid) may stump up the money for Australia's alledged richest agent and Harry.

Key questions before we hand over the dosh.

When did the last Socceroos return and do something for the game - and not for his pay packet when euro dollars ran out.

Not Tony Popovic - My plane stopped in the middle east - not John Aloisi, couldn't get a club so will play once I get a million (shades of Harry???), not Craig Moore, Stan Lazaridis, Paul Agostino (who?) all earned more than they could have in Europe - only Jason Culina I'd argue has come back to assist the game and get a wage similar to what he would have got in Holland.

So when in crisis let's get Frank or the FFA to pay.

How is that going to be sustainable?

Hasn't this game learned anything?

We need to keep all clubs, connect and work much harder converting players and fans of football and other codes into A-League fans.

When we have a core 10,000 every week at all clubs - then we can go to level 3 - spend a bit or waste the credit card on Bernie Mandic and Harry.

Bernie got $2million from Harry's $5 million transfer to Liverpool so it was reported at the time - how much does Bernie want this time for negotiating the deal - $5 from each kid playing football in Australia?

What if Harry gets injured? We'll be a laughing stock - and Harry might.
What if Harry has no other clubs after him other than QPR - does Harry need us more than we need him?

Nearpost Solution
Why not offer Harry one dollar more than he can get from any club anywhere else in the world and see how much Harry and Bernie really want to do for Australia, the A-League and our kids.

After all Harry seems like a great bloke - possibly badly advised.

And how come he's only talking up the move now - could it be coz no-one wants an ageing 33 year old in their forward line in Europe.

Will the FFA stare em down or will the kids pay again?

Sunday, 10 October 2010

Fozzie 3 Mike and Robbie 0..and that's just half-time!

Robbie Slater said on Fox Sports last night prior to the Socceroos game that he "hated that column."

Did he mean the particular piece on Harry Kewell - he wrote in the Telly some weeks ago - or does he mean he actually hates writing the weekly piece which seems to be giving him some grief.

I'm happy to ghost it Robbie - could be awesome.

Anyway Craig Foster has said what we all think, at least all who agree with me!

Attacks on Harry Kewell have moved beyond the bounds of acceptable and objective critique.

That the attacks on Harry Kewell, and although Fozzie doesn't name them, most of us would imagine he means Robbie and SMH's Mike Cockerill whose "pieces" over the last few months have been personal in nature and show little understanding of the life the guy has lead, nor the standing Harry has in the football community.

No we are not mugs, we do not think Harry is god, merely the guy has had a wonderful career played in two World Cups, and Asian Cup and many many more Socceroo games along the way - despite what some seem to suggest.

Mike C has continued to attack Kewell this year and while many of us think it Fozzie has come out and said it in his Sunday article.

Simply had to be said.

Raise the bar boys!

Monday, 8 March 2010

Time to salute Australia's finest: Harry Kewell

There was a time Australia never made it to the World Cup. With Harry Kewell we got to two, it was so very nearly four.

If anyone ever doubted his contribution to Australian football, it's surely time to take a moment.

Often criticised for not playing enough, not doing enough for the Green and Gold, since his return to football from his Liverpool injuries he's hardly missed a game for Australia, across all the Asian nations.

Harry has taken us to two World Cups. But it could have been so much more.

The boy wonder scored in Tehran as a very young man, in front of 110,000 men in 1997 in the first leg of the World Cup Qualifier. He scored again in Melbourne. Two goals from a young man in massive games.

It wasn't enough. It should have been and Australia would have been at the World Cup in France. Pretty close weren't we.

And if we'd have made that one, the experience we would have gained, who would have been surprised if a Harry Kewell inspired Socceroos would have overturned Uruguay in 2001. Not me. We nearly did, the third goal only coming in Montevideo in the closing minutes.

A little more experience, a little more self-belief, self-confidence and we could have made that World Cup as well.

And of course, if Harry Kewell had played against Italy in 2006, ten man Italy, would we have won?

We'll never know.

As the sunsets on Australia's greatest footballers' international career we should enjoy and remember the journey.

South Africa will be Harry's finale? Or will it. Surely if Ryan Giggs can play centre-midfield for Manchester United at 35, Harry could remain in the Socceroos for the 2014 World Cup. Not as a winger but as a midfielder who can control, pass and audaciously split a defence. With younger runners around him, and the dearth of talent coming through Harry's light may shine a while yet.

Either way Harry Kewell has taken us to two World Cups, not without help, but his contribution to Australian football has been immense.

Wednesday, 30 December 2009

Nearpost National Show - 29/12/09

National show Download

Lucy and Paddy have the controls for the last show in 2009 and there's no stopping them. Its all happenning! The A league gossip, who really coaches Kuwait and what's in a name anyway, the Soccerros playing roster, whose in and whose out and who knows, and can they win, where did all the people come from to watch the last A league round - that's easy - they listen to the Nearpost National. The odd fearless prediction for the next A league round. Cry in ya Chardonnay Paddy, the Perth Shin-kickers are done for - and who adminstered the kiss of life to the Gold Coast. Strange things going on in the A league!! What about Harry K and the Turkish connection? When too much football gossip is what its all about. "Eamonn who", Paddy is heard to exclaim! They sent Eamonn on an all expenses paid "Celtic Tragics" reunion in storm ravaged Western NSW - something about inland beach football and would he like to be the inaugral patron. Eamonn couldn't resist. He's wet, not happy and someone borrowed his Celtics jersey! Is there no end to the lengths that Lucy (Paddy made me do it) and Paddy (my hand is no where near the ball) will go to, to promote the Nearpost National - No!. So listen.

Monday, 7 July 2008

Harry Kewell: Does it for Australia

"If Bruce Djite likes playing in the cold, and he's gone to Turkey, then Turkey is good enough and cold enough for me."

Harry could have gone to Celtic, Portsmouth or even Rome. But he chose Turkey. Harry did it for Australia..and here's why.

Speaking to Harry's agent, Scouse Jim, it became very clear what Harry was thinking.

"He's had offers from Liverpool, Celtic, Roma but Harry chose Turkey? Fans are amazed Scouse Jim. Why did he do it?"

"He did it for Australia. Harry's always being devoted to the National team, as you know. Ever since he played in Tehran as a a 17 year old, there's only ever been one National team for Harry."

"You only have to look at the last month. All the other lazy sods couldn't get away quick enough for a break before the China game. Even Nicky Carle, who lets face it, needs the game time, even Nicky dashed off for a surf and stuff.

"Not Harry. China, dead rubber, Harry was there. And he's got the rewards, I mean he played for the fans."

"And in true Harry fashion it had to be Turkey. We got the map out and saw that Turkey was the nearest place to Uzbekistan. Well when Harry said that it was a no-brainer. He can fly straight from Galatasaray to Tashkent."

"And Harry thinks Turkey is actually in Asia, which it is sort of. So the games against Bahrain, Qatar, Harry will be the first one there."

"He's even mapped out Oman and Kuwait in the Asia Cup Qualifiers."

"Flying from Liverpool to Uzbekistan. Harry would have had to go down the M62, to Manchester. Harry hates that. The traffic, the Mancs, remember he wouldn't sign for them. Then he has to fly to Heathrow. Harry hates Heathrow, and don't forget he didn't sign for the Arse (Arsenal). Those baggage handlers at Heathrow hate Harry."

"So it was a no-brainer. He knew Jesse Fink's mate Nicky Carle got a game in Turkey. Harry really looks up to Nicky, and Jesse. So he thought great, that'll do."

"And he saw Nicky and the other Aussie Mile Sterjovski both did well in Turkey. I mean they lasted almost six months each so Hary knew the Aussie boys could do it."

"And he knows it's cold in Turkey or else Bruce Djite wouldn't have gone there would he? And Harry doesn't like the heat. He couldn't run for nuts in the Asia Cup."

"And Harry knows Turkey is nearer the equator than Liverpool but well if Djite is there with his fear of the cold and all that, he should be right."

"Roma? Never an option mate."

"Too many roundabouts, Harry and the missus they hate Roundabouts. Traffic lights, Scouse Jim, that's what Harry always says. Give me a traffic light. Red he says means stop, green means go. Harry likes that."

Saturday, 24 May 2008

Harry Kewell v Ryan Giggs

Our Harry was back against Ghana. Captain as well. The flying left winger, compared favourably with Manchester United's Ryan Giggs in days of yore.

But while Giggs has reinvented himself as a wonderful inside player, Kewell has yet to rise above mediocre in that position for club, and more importantly for country.

When you think of Kewell at his best. He's influencing games, creating opportunities using his pace and skill.

For Leeds he was a magician time and time again. Occasionally for Liverpool he was outstanding. And even from his Liverpool days he has a goals video that most players would die for. Goals against Tottenham and Everton spring to mind.

For Australia. Who can forget his influence in the Uruguay home game? His second half performance against Brazil, Croatia, and even Singapore in the friendly before the Asia Cup.

All Harry's contributions of note have come from the left sided role he is a master of.

Last night, and against Singapore in the recent friendly, maybe for his health, maybe for the good of the team, and maybe because he lacks the left wingers pace these days, Harry played inside.

He may move inside. It looks like he will. But unlike Ryan Giggs, we've yet to see Harry control a game, make a number of killer passes, create opportunities for himself or get into forward positions to hurt players and teams.

Giggs and Kewell at their best were similarly effective as wingmen. Giggs relied more on pace than Kewell. Both have outstanding vision and footwork on the wing. Giggs extended his career by moving inside, with huge effect.

Can Kewell? Australia needs Harry over the coming years. If not to win the games, then certainly to add to our player depth.

But can Harry regain a level of impact that makes him an automatic starter?

Against Singapore and Ghana I saw nothing to say he is a definite starter, certainly not in the inside role he seems to prefer. In the Asia Cup his defensive work/energy was so poor, he was quickly moved out to the right wing.

Against Ghana I saw sloppy passes, a lack of time, and little advanced play of note coming from Harry.

Sure he did some good things, some nice things, but Harry is one of our finest. I expect more, more often.

I would like to have seen him popped out to the wing for ten minutes. One run, one creative play from Harry would have been worth the admission. And it would have given Australia one more attack, one more threat than we had. And there weren't many.

If Harry's wing days are behind him, he's still yet to convince his army of fans that he is "the one" when playing inside.

If Giggs can do it, reinvent himself, surely one with Kewell's skills can. But then again Giggs never missed as much football as Harry. Harry may be reduced to the Australia bench on more occasions than he would like if he doesn't show soon.

Is Kewell worth a start against Iraq?
And if so, as left sided player or an inside/midfielder come attacker?

Tuesday, 13 May 2008

SBS: Talk about whingers!

It used to stand for Soccer Bloody Soccer, now it's Soccer Bagging Soccer....and we love it.

Take your pick. At SBS, you can read the Opinion pieces by Australia's finest Grumpy Old Men, and some not so Old, but very Grumpy:

Can you imagine the Tea-room at SBS. Les muttering and chuntering about the English, Fozzie walking behind smiling and agreeing, occasionally moving a chair so the master doesn't spill his tea, Jesse Fink complaining about the lack of funds for the sugar, and young upstart Scott McIntyre shouting, "Where's the Asia tea, English Breakfast, pah I say!"

You can read pieces about bagging the English Premier League, but if you are not happy with that, let's bag the Player Agents, no wait Harry Kewell give him a serve, and just in case that wasn't enough. Let's bag the A-League clubs in Asia. All in just a few days!

Sir Les Murray, Mr Football God Bless Him, tells us that the English league isn't the best in the world, just the richest. What he should have added is "we don't have the TV rights," but he does say the best league in the World is "the Champions League," and yes you guessed it SBS have the rights. Tongue in cheek I know Sir Les but read on.

Jesse Fink, despises Player Agents, fair enough, doesn't everyone except the players? Nice easy target, then he sticks the boot into Harry Kewell. Suggesting Harry should play and stay at Liverpool for nothing or on much reduced wages.

Poor Harry having to live in England without $300,000 per week. Well nice try Jesse but why did you leave News Limited? Nothing to do with the money I hope, because I think, personally, you should have stayed. Produced something to pay back the lame weeks you had occasionally, okay there were only a few, but still bet you took your dosh.

And Scott McIntyre bags out Aussie clubs in Asia. Basically if Adelaide don't win against a Chinese side that have lost their last three games, well what are the Aussies sides worth. Seems Scott doesn't want the Aussies to succeed.

We've been in the ACL nearly two whole years, have only missed qualification on the last day once, maybe twice if it happens this year, and according to Scott we've learnt little, and whinge about injuries, travel and salary caps.

And Adelaide did beat the Koreans ACL representatives twice, but of course this in no longer enough says Scott

Adelaide, under the stewardship of Aurelio Vidmar, has shown they’ve learnt from the experience of a failed campaign but are yet to strike a decisive blow against comparatively weak opposition this year (the 6th best side in Korea last year, for example).

We all love Opinions but can't anyone write anything uplifting and positive about football at SBS?

Come on guys I dare you.

Oh I forgot the Euro's. We'll be writing reams of joy about that won't we, but then having EIGHT games live, a nice trip to Europe, and it will be all great football with Engerland at home in their beds.

Who's side are you guys on anyway, just remind me!

Thursday, 1 May 2008

Socceroos: Valeri, Kewell in, Viduka out.

Australian Coach Pim Verbeek speaking from Holland this afternoon says, "Mark Viduka is out," of the Socceroos games in June. He is currently playing with an achilles injury and may need an operation at the end of the English season.

"(Mark) He said he has a contract (with his club) until 2010 and he wants to finish with the World Cup. Whenever I'm fit, I'm ready for the Socceroos if you need me. So that is good," said Verbeek

But Liverpool's Harry Kewell is fit and will play. "Harry is not a question mark. He's training hard and will be in camp for the Ghana game," said Verbeek.

Canberra's Carl Valeri will be released for all games, including the Ghana game, if his club Grosseto are safe from relegation. "Valeri is keen to come," said Verbeek

Verbeek met with many players over the last few weeks and is flying to Japan today to check on Joel Griffiths and Eddy Bosnar.

"We have a few weeks to go here in Europe, so far we have all our players ready, we have some questions with the fitness of some players. Nothing is finalised but we have our plans ready," said Verbeek.

The Ghana game is a good possibility to "give some experience to players and see how they cope with the big game experience."

Josh Kennedy is expected to be fit for the last two games of the Bundesliga.

Scott Chipperfield is injured currently.

Scott McDonald will be available for Iraq, but the Ghana game will depend on Celtic's end of season title chase.

Jason Culina is currently injured
And four players' partners are expecting babies in June. Lucas Neill, Jacob Burns, Mile Sterjovski, and Josh Kennedy will all miss one or more of the qualifiers to be at the birth of their child. Michael Essien is out. Chelsea making the Champions League final put an end to his participation in this months friendly.

You can hear Pim Verbeeks thoughts on players availability on the Nearpost next Tuesday.

Sunday, 13 April 2008

Monday News: Matildas, Harry Kewell, and more

Matildas, Harry Kewell, Nathan Burns, Fed Cup Scores, Futsalroos and more. Wake up to football in Canberra on a Monday morning!

Matildas squad for America and Young Matildas squads will be announced on Monday. Details here tomorrow.

Fed Cup scores.
Belwest win the Women's Fed Cup 4-2 on penalties over Belconnen United. See earlier blog story for details.

O'Connor Knights beat Canberra FC 3-2 in a shock win in the men's Federation Cup.

AIS
AIS got back to winning ways this weekend when they beat Preston 3-0 in the Foxtel Cup

Nathan Burns is expected to singn for Norwegian club SK Brann. Adelaide United Coach Aurelio Vidmar says,"We're just waiting for an offer really, but we expect him to go."

Harry Kewell linked with Man United. Interesting rumour I guess. He's cheap, no transfer fee, and Ryan the lefty Giggs is nearly done.

Futsalroo Coach is off to Oceania to run their Futsal program. Will he stay with the Futsalroos?

"That's up to the FFA, and if people think there is a conflict of interest."

With all the travel this year, a World Cup year, it's perhaps surprising that Mr Futsal has taken up this post.

Anyone who has talked to Scott will know his frustrations at the development of Futsal since the FFA have taken charge.

Thursday, 27 March 2008

Kossie on Total Football

John Kosmina always speaks his mind.

Except maybe when it comes to Mark Milligan. See earlier post today.

On Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka.
Has Harry Kewell got three more years football in him.
Kozzie says, "No, I think not."

It's not a nice thought, a nice thing to have to say, but Kozzie said what everyone is now thinking.

"He's missed a lot of football in the last three years and it's very hard to come back from there."

On Viduka:

"Mark Viduka needs to make a decision. Does he play in the June qualifiers and we have to leave Josh Kennedy out?"

Kozzie is right. Let's bring Dukes home for the Cameroon game and give him a wonderful Australian send-off.

Why play Dukes in June, if he can't play in the next Qualifiers? And let's face it if we do get to the World Cup, we do not want a 34 year old Mark Viduka leading the line.

Well you might, but I don't. He's too slow for top International football now, and the World Cup is beyond him.

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