Harry Kewell Bio Send To Friend  

For so long the poster boy of Australian football, Kewell has taken a back seat to the likes of Tim Cahill in terms of profile in recent times, but the winger remains a first-choice member of the Socceroos attack. Now lacking the explosive pace that once helped him scale the heady heights of European club football, Kewell has matured into more of a settling presence in Australia's midfield. Having landed on his feet in Galatasaray, Kewell has laid the foundations at club level to once again step up and be a match-winner for his team on the international stage.

Kewell burst onto the scene with Leeds United as a teenager in the late 1990s and played his part in that club's famous success into the new millennium, prior to their debt-driven fall from grace. Kewell was considered one of the best young talents in world football at the peak of his powers thanks to his skilful, driving runs and a penchant for the spectacular. When Liverpool swooped for Kewell as Leeds began to sell off their key assets, the script was written for the 'Wizard of Oz' to become one of the game's top players at the club he supported as a boy. But a series of injuries contributed to a stagnation of sorts, and Kewell was booed off by his own supporters in the 2004-05 Champions League final when he came off injured. He redeemed himself to an extent after that low, but never realised the potential he'd shown at Leeds, and in 2008 signed for Galatasaray in the Turkish league for a fresh start. He has scored a string of important goals for the club, endearing himself to his new fans.

During the ill-fated Liverpool stint, Kewell contributed strongly to Australia's qualification for Germany 2006 and the tournament itself. He put in an electric performance in his home town of Sydney in the second leg of the play-off against Uruguay and help set up the crucial goal in Australia's 1-0 victory, before going on to slot home a penalty in the deciding shootout. Kewell again battled injury to play in the tournament itself, scoring an equaliser in Australia's final group match with Croatia to send the Socceroos through to the knockout rounds. He had been lucky to play against Croatia after escaping a ban for verbally abusing referee Markus Merk in the Brazil match. Kewell played his part in the qualification for South Africa 2010, and also captained his country for the first time in that period.

Strengths: In terms of natural ability with the ball at his feet, Kewell is peerless in the Australian team and has grown to become an influential presence. Can score with either foot, and underrated in the air.

Weaknesses: Injuries have slowed his pace to pedestrian in recent years, meaning he is less likely to produce something unexpected.

Style: Technical, gifted, confident, tantrum-prone.

Career high: Scoring the critical late equaliser in Australia's 2-2 draw with Croatia at Germany 2006.

Career low: Booed by Liverpool's fans while coming off injured in the 2005 Champions League final.

Quotes: "In the end Man United would have trumped everybody because they could [money-wise], but their back-up player was a great choice - Ronaldo. It was Ronaldo or Kewell. The way things have turned out Ronaldo has done extremely well." Kewell's agent Bernie Mandic, 2009.

Trivia: Kewell has forged a career in 'Politix' - that's the name of the men's fashion brand he is the face of in Australia.

Soccernet says: If Pim Verbeek unshackles Kewell, the winger still has what it takes to conjure something out of nothing.