[lfc-news] Harry's back

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Harry's back
http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,16985457-5001023,00.html
By DAVID LEWIS

October 21, 2005

IT was one small step for Harry Kewell but one giant stride for Australia
as the long-suffering Socceroos star announced his return to the big time
with a 15-minute cameo for Liverpool yesterday.

Barring any setbacks, the target is now Montevideo on November 13 with
Socceroos assistant coach Graham Arnold last night predicting the
much-missed attacking midfielder could be the "jewel of Australia's crown"
as they bid to outwit Uruguay and qualify for the World Cup.

But first Kewell – who emerged unscathed from the Reds' 1-0 Champions
League win over Anderlecht in Brussels – must successfully negotiate a
five-match hurdle for his club as he seeks to rewire his hard-drive after
an injury layoff stretching back nearly five months.

Afterwards Kewell, 27, told a close friend: "I've pulled up OK but it's
early days. I'll train tomorrow and hopefully there won't be any twinges.
But so far, so good."

Arnold believes Kewell's circuitry is sound and the time is right for him
to click.

"Everything is a bonus now because we didn't even know if we'd have Harry
available after all the injury struggles," he said. "Hopefully he'll be the
jewel in the crown by sneaking under the radar to make a huge impact
(against the Uruguayans)."

After two groin operations and a series of below-the-belt assaults from
armchair detractors, Arnold added: "There is also an opportunity for Harry
to show people what he's all about and prove them wrong because he's had
his critics of late. Harry's a big time player who loves the special occasion.

"The games against Uruguay are made for him – they are occasions players
remember for the rest of their lives. We'll assess whether to use him as an
impact player off the bench or as a starting player in one or both the
games against Uruguay (the return is in Sydney on November 16) closer to
the time."

Kewell's first touch against Anderlecht was a beautifully struck cross
after coming on for the matchwinner Djibril Cisse in the 75th minute.

"At the camp in Holland (two weeks back) Harry looked extremely fit – if
not match fit. He trained like a dog and the smile is back on his face,"
said Arnold.

Arnold also hosed down fears the Centenario stadium will be a colosseum of
hate.

"People talk about intimidation in South America but on the pitch it's not
intimidating at all. In Uruguay, the crowd is 25m from the players," he added.

"Last week I watched Uruguay beat Argentina (to set up the tie with
Australia) and all around were families and true fans. Uruguayans are calm
people who love the game."

Arnold is also unconcerned about returning to the scene of 2001's Socceroos
implosion, where the seeds of doubt and defeat were planted when players
and officials were heckled, jostled and spat on by a mob at the airport.

"That was the most intimidating thing we faced," he said.

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