Harry Back In The Mix

Harry Kewell has been recalled into the Socceroos squad for the next round of World Cup Qualifiers against Uzbekistan. Having failed to score in the past three matches, Pim will be looking to the winger as the creative spark for the Green and Gold.

Kewell has been in fine form for Galatasaray this season, scoring plenty of goals as he gets his career back on track. He even spent time at centre back for the Turkish giants in their recent UEFA draw against Hamburg. With team mate and regular centre back Emre Asik sent off in the 54th minute, Kewell put his hand up to plug the gap and did an admirable job, helping Gala hold on for a 1-1 draw (Hamburg’s goal was scored before Harry stepped into the defensive role) and a much needed away goal from the first leg round of 16 tie.

Harry aside, Michael Beauchamp and Jacob Burns also make their way back into the squad due to injuries to others. Beauch will be the replacement for Craig Moore, although whether he starts or not is still up in the air. Beauch is still struggling for regular game time at AaB, and this could allow Jade North to sneak his way into the starting XI. Burns will be replacing Vinnie Grella, and he might walk into the starting line-up to play alongside Carl Valeri if Pim goes for two defensive midfielders again.

Apart from these changes, the rest of the squad look fairly standard (even Brett Holman…). So no big surprises, although unfortunately Brett Emerton is still out injured.

In related news, the Uzbeks are considering bringing a “B” team to Sydney for the match on April 1st. With qualification already out of their hands, manager Vadim Abramov announced that the trip will be beneficial for some of their younger players who lack experience at international stage. This was obviously met with joy by Pim, who desperately needs the win to get back into the good books of the Australian football fraternity, following two dismal results in the opening games in our Asian Cup qualifiers, and then the repeated verbal attacks on the standard of the A-League.

The full squad:
Michael Beauchamp (Aalborg),
Mark Bresciano (Palermo),
Jacon Burns, (Unirea),
Tim Cahill (Everton),
David Carney (Sheffield Utd, on loan at Norwich),
Scott Chipperfield (Basel),
Chris Coyne (Colchester),
Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven),
Adam Federici (Reading),
Richard Garcia (Hull),
Brett Holman (AZ Alkmaar),
Mile Jedinak (Genclerbirligi),
Josh Kennedy (Karlsruhe),
Harry Kewell (Galatasaray),
Scott McDonald (Celtic),
Lucas Neill (West Ham),
Jade North (Incheon),
Michael Petkovic (Sivasspor),
Mark Schwarzer (Fulham),
Mile Sterjovski (Derby),
Carl Valeri (Grosseto),
Luke Wilkshire (Dynamo Moscow).