Kewell boost to Australia 2010 hopes

April 28, 2008

Australia’s 2010 World Cup hopes have been given a boost with the news that Harry Kewell will play in next months friendly match against Ghana, as the Socceroos prepare for a vital batch of FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June.

The Liverpool star has been plagued by injuries over the past couple of years and was one of several Australia stars to miss last months 0-0 draw with China last month, after suffering a groin strain in a friendly with Singapore.

It was determined that Kewell would not require surgery, although his last match for Liverpool was in their shock 2-1 defeat by Barnsley on 16th February.

The former Leeds star, who was this week named as one of the top under-30 earners in Britain with a personal fortune of £13 million, is expected to be fit for Australia’s crucial run of qualifying matches in their bid to reach the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

“For me, in particular, this is an important part of getting back to full match fitness,” Kewell said in a Football Federation Australia statement. “I’m looking forward to getting back home as always because I don’t have a chance to do it more than a couple of times a year at best.”

The friendly against Ghana will be Australia’s final preparation for a run of four FIFA World Cup qualifiers which will determine if they reach the finals in South Africa in 2010.

“Ghana are a great team for us to play in preparation for the next round of the World Cup qualifiers,” Kewell said.

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