Harry Kewell

Harry Kewell (born September 22,1978 in Smithfield, New South Wales, Sydney), is an Australian football (soccer) player who currently plays for Liverpool F.C] in the FA Premier League. An exceptional dribbler on the Midfielder Winger also capable of playing as an attacking midfielder and as a Striker Second Striker, he is often regarded within the media as "Australia's finest football export", despite his career being blighted with injury. Against Croatia he scored the crucial goal to get Australia through to the knockout stages of the 2006 World Cup. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Australian Professional Footballers' Association.

Over the past few seasons Harry has struggled greatly with injuries; despite this manager Rafael Benitez has kept faith in the Aussie winger and kept him in the Liverpool Senior Squad.

Early life

Raised in the suburb of Smithfield located in Sydneys south west by parents Rod and Helen, Kewel would receive his early schooling at Smithfield Public School, secodary schooling atSt. Johns Park High School later tranfering to the newly formed Westfields Sports High School where he was offered a footballing scholarship. Kewell was also a member of the New South Wales Academy of Sport under the guidance of football director David Lee who would later become a pivitol figure in the development of Australias most accomplished footballers both domestically and abroad.

At the tender age 15, an already football-wise Kewell would be offered the opportunity to travel to England where he would trial with English FA Premier League football club Leeds United F.C.. This opportunity would be possible as a result of the 'Big Brother Programme' first developed at Westfields Sports High School to reward the most outstanding players. At the end of the four week trial Kewell was offered a contract by Leeds which would only come to fruition as a result of his father's English heritage.

Club career

Leeds United

Kewell made his Leeds United debut as a 17-year-old on 30 March 1996 in a 1-0 home defeat by Middlesbrough F.C.. Kewell made his Australia national football team debut in April 1996 in 3-0 defeat by Chile national football team. The first goal he scored for Leeds came some time later, in October 1997, in a 3-1 Football League Cup victory over Stoke City F.C..

He was sent off in Leeds United-Galatasaray UEFA Cup 2000 Semi-final 2.match. Playing mostly in a left midfield role and in attack, Kewell became one of Leeds' young stars in a troop of highly promising youngsters, eventually forming a striking partnership with fellow Australian Mark Viduka. The high point of this period was when they helped Leeds to the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League in 2000-01 in English football. However, the club began to suffer financial difficulties and, by 2002-03 in English football, having sold many of their best players, Kewell and Viduka's efforts in front of goal merely prevented Leeds' slide from being relegated from the Premiership.

Kewell left Leeds under acrimonious circumstances. In an infamous interview given to the BBC shortly before his move to Liverpool, Kewell lashed out against the staff at the club, stating that the medical staff worsened his injuries and that his teammates had ostracized him.

Liverpool

Kewell moved to Liverpool for the start of the 2003-04 season, reportedly snubbing an offer from Manchester United. The transfer was highly controversial because it was alleged that a significant portion (£2m of the £5m) went to Kewell's unregistered agent, Bernie Mandic to ensure that he ended up at Anfield. In a related matter, Kewell sued Gary Lineker in 2005 for defamation of character, but, with the jury unable to agree on a verdict, the parties had to settle out of court.

On 25 May 2005, Kewell became the only Australian-born player (Craig Johnston was born in South Africa) to win the UEFA Champions League, playing in Liverpool F.C.'s win over A.C. Milan on penalties. Kewell was controversially selected by Rafael Benítez ahead of the defensive midfielder Dietmar Hamann, signalling the club's intent to attack from the outset. The gamble proved unsuccessful, and an injured Kewell was substituted early in the first half with a torn adductor muscle.

In November 2005, after recovering from the injury sustained during the final, Kewell spoke to the [iverpool FC official website], saying that he had a strong desire to repay his manager Rafael Benitez for showing confidence in him by fielding him in the Champions League Final. He also thanked his wife and friends for the support shown to him while he recovered from injury. He also re-stated the severity of the injury which had forced him off in the Final and told his doubters that they were misguided to question the severity of his injury.

Kewell's form for Liverpool in the 2005-06 in English football English Premier League season showed what he was truly capable of, scoring goals and plenty of assists, lending support to his assertion that his prior mediocre performance was the result of poor health rather than apathy.

Kewell played in the 2005-06 in English football FA Cup Final, only to be substituted in the 48th minute due to abdominal pains. It was later confirmed by Liverpool that he had torn a groin muscle, but was expected to be fit for the World Cup.

On April 30, 2007 Kewell made his comeback from almost a year out of action. He came on as a 55th minute substitute for Liverpool F.C. Reserves in a `mini-derby' against Everton F.C] Reserves. On May 5, 2007, he came on as a substitute in the second half of Liverpool's match against Fulham at Craven Cottage, having not played for Liverpool since his substition in 2005-06 FA Cup Final. On May 13th 2007, Harry came on as substitute in the second half against Charlton in the last game of the Premiership. Speculation on whether he was to be selected in Liverpool's upcoming Champions League Final in Athens rapidly became positive for Kewell after providing an excellent game against Charlton. Harry provided a cross in for Dirk Kuyt to assist towards a Xabi Alonso goal and then scored a penalty on the 90th minute . He played in the Champions league Final in Athens, coming on as a second half substitute for Bolo Zenden.

Kewell was injured for the start of the 2007-08 season, he faces an uncertain future at Liverpool having suffered yet another injury, which has sidelined him for the first month of the Premier League season.
Harry Kewell was readying himself for a return to the Liverpool reserves, most likely against Wigan Athletic on September 19.
Of some encouragement is that Kewell has been named in Liverpool's 23-man Champions League squad, which plays its first game away to Porto on 18th of September.

International career

Kewell became the youngest player to début for the Australia national team when he played against Chile in April 1996, aged 17 years and 7 months. In November 1997, Kewell was selected to play for Australia in the country's World Cup qualifying game against Iran. At the Azadi Stadium in Tehran, in front of an estimated crowd of 120,000, Kewell scored his first ever goal for his country and gave Australia a 1-0 lead. Iran eventually drew level and the game resulted in a 1-1 draw, which set up a tense return game in Melbourne.

A then-record crowd for Australian football of 85,000 - at the Melbourne Cricket Ground - witnessed the second leg of this World Cup qualifier against Iran, as well as Kewell's second goal. The Socceroos eventually stretched their lead to two goals but Iran fought back and scored two vital away goals to finish the game 2-2 and qualify for the World Cup.

FIFA World Cup Germany 2006

In November 2005, Australia national football team qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup taking place in Germany. It was the first time Australia had qualified for the Football World Cup since 1974 when it was held in West Germany. To reach the World Cup Australia beat Uruguay in a two-legged play-off. Kewell was considered instrumental in the Socceroos' defeat of Uruguay national football team, turning the course of the match when he entered as a substitute. He scored the first penalty for Australia in the deciding penalty shoot-out, which they went on to win 4-2.

Kewell played in Australia's opening game of the 2006 FIFA World Cup against Japan in Germany. He did not start for Australia in their second group match against Brazilian national football team but again entered as a substitute, missing an early opportunity when Dida punched the ball out dangerously. Kewell was reported to FIFA by referee Markus Merk for verbal abuse after the match but he escaped being sanctioned.

In the 2006 FIFA World Cup - Group F Croatia vs Australia game Kewell scored Australia's second goal to equal the score at 2-2. Australia only needed a draw to qualify for the second round for the first time. He was also awarded Man of the Match, which made him Australia's second Man of the Match at a World Cup (after Tim Cahill).

Due to suspected gout, (later diagnosed as septic arthritis — a bacterial infection in the joints of his left foot) Kewell was unable to play against Italy national football team in the 2006 FIFA World Cup knockout stage Italy vs Australia, which saw Australia eliminated from the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

AFC Asian Cup Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam 2007

Kewell did not play for the national team for a year following the World Cup, and made his national-team comeback in a friendly match against Singapore national football team in late June 2007. The match was Australia's last before the Asian Cup 2007 and Kewell came on as a substitute in the 65th minute, and went on to score his eighth international goal and provide a cross for the final goal in a 3-0 victory. Kewell was a key part of the Australian squad for the Asian Cup. Kewell scored his 9th international goal for Australia, scoring the 4th goal in a 4-0 victory over Thailand in the Asian Cup. After the group stage, in a quarter-final against Japanese national football team, Kewell was sent on to the pitch to replace Mark Viduka in the 61st minute, in a 1-1 draw. A penalty shootout was required to break the deadlock and Kewell's first penalty shot for Australia was stopped. Australia ultimately lost the shootout and was eliminated from the Asian Cup.

Personal

Kewell is married to English soap star Sheree Murphy whom he met at the Majestyk club in 2000. They were married in Las Vegas, Nevada in May 2003 and have two children, son Taylor (born 2001) and daughter Ruby Heather Toni (born 2003). Harry Kewell is a supporter of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (rugby league team). He enjoys playing golf in his spare time. He is considered Australia's most famous sportman after Greg Norman.

Career Honours

Leeds United

Winner
- 1996–97 FA Youth Cup

FA Young Player of the Year award

Liverpool

Winner'
- UEFA Champions League 2004-05 UEFA Champions League
- FA Cup Final 2006 FA Cup
Runner-up
- 2005 FIFA Club World Championship FIFA Club World Championship
- 2005 League Cup Final Football League Cup
- UEFA Champions League 2006-07 UEFA Champions League

Australia

Runner-up
- 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup Confederations Cup