| Full name | Harold Kewell | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 22 September 1978 | ||
| Place of birth | Sydney, Australia | ||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Playing position | Winger Attacking midfielder Second striker | ||
Harold "Harry" Kewell (born 22 September 1978) is an Australian professional football (soccer) midfielder who currently plays for Turkcell Süper Lig club Galatasaray. Internationally he has received 52 caps, and scored 16 goals, while playing for the Australian national team.
An exceptional dribbler[citation needed] on the wing also capable of playing as an attacking midfielder and as a second striker, he is often regarded within the media as "Australia's finest football export",[2] despite his career being blighted with injury.[3][4] Kewell scored a goal against Croatia which took Australia through to the knockout stages of the 2006 World Cup, the Australian national team's second World Cup. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Australian Professional Footballers' Association.[5] Kewell also has a British passport through his father's heritage
Biography
Kewell received his early schooling at Smithfield Public School and secondary schooling at St. Johns Park High School before transferring to Westfield Sports High School.During his time at Westfields Sports High School, Kewell played at representative level for both school and club competitions. He played in the New South Wales Youth League representative team for Marconi from aged U13 to U15, coached by Stephen Treloar, while also attending other specialised training with the NSW Junior Soccer Academy, coached by David Lee.
Big Break (1993)
At the age of 14 Kewell travelled to Thailand, Italy and England with the successful Marconi Under 14 team that had just won the State Titles. The team played games against the junior team of A C Milan (Sporting Milano), as well as apprenticeship sides in England. This was the first time Kewell had been out of the country but provided him his first taste of football in Europe, having also attended a Premier League match for the first time as a spectator. At the age of 15 Kewell was offered the opportunity to travel back to England and trial with English Premiership football club Leeds United for a period of four weeks as part of the Big Brother Movement in Australia. Kewell travelled to England with his future Socceroo team-mate Brett Emerton. Both were successful during their trials at Leeds. However only Kewell was able to take up the club's offer due to his father's English heritage, which satisfied the visa requirements.Leeds United (1995–2003)
Kewell made his Leeds United debut as a 19-year-old on 30 March 1996 in a 1–0 home defeat by Middlesbrough. Around that time he was flat mates with Leeds goalkeeper, Nicky Byrne, later to become a member of boyband Westlife. Kewell made his Australia debut in April 1996 in 3–0 defeat by Chile. The first goal he scored for Leeds came some time later, in October 1997, in a 3–1 League Cup victory over Stoke City.He was sent off in Leeds United-Galatasaray UEFA Cup 1999-00 semi-final 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 playing alongside fellow Australian Mark Viduka. By the end of the 1999–00 season, it was suggested that Kewell was subject to a £25 million bid from Italian giants, Internazionale.[7] The high point of this period was when the duo helped Leeds to the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League in 2000–01. However, the club began to suffer financial difficulties and, by 2002–03, having sold many of their best players, Kewell and Viduka's efforts in front of goal merely delayed Leeds' slide from being relegated from the Premiership. Kewell's efforts at Leeds United gained him international recognition for his talents. He scored 45 goals in over 180 appearances for Leeds over eight years.
Kewell left Leeds under acrimonious circumstances. In an 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.[8]
Liverpool (2003–2008)
Having rejected more financially enticing offers from Milan,[7] Chelsea,[7] Manchester United,[7] Arsenal[7] and Barcelona,[7] Kewell moved to Liverpool for the start of the 2003–04 season. Kewell was handed the famous No. 7 shirt, surrendered by Vladimír Šmicer.[9] The shirt is iconic to Liverpool football club having been sported by Ian Callaghan, Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish.Kewell's 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.[10]
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's win over Milan on penalties. Kewell was controversially selected by Benítez ahead of the defensive midfielder Dietmar Hamann, signaling 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. Liverpool were losing 1–0 at the time and Kewell was infamously booed off the pitch by Liverpool fans with many suggesting he had faked the injury. It also emerged during the summer of 2005 that Kewell had been playing throughout the season with an undiagnosed sports hernia, also known as 'Gilmore's Groin.'
In November 2005, after recovering from the injury sustained during the final, Kewell spoke to the Liverpool FC official website, saying that he had a strong desire to repay his manager Rafael Benítez 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.[citation needed]
Kewell's form for Liverpool in the 2005–06 FA 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 scored his first league goal at Anfield in over 2 years when Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur 1–0 in January, he was also the only scorer when Liverpool beat Manchester City 1–0 at Anfield and scored the last goal in a 3–1 win over Everton in one of his best displays of the season. Kewell was also one of Liverpool's best performers in the FA Cup semi final win over Chelsea which Liverpool won 2–1.
Kewell played in the 2005–06 FA Cup Final, only to be substituted in the 48th minute due to abdominal pains (the supporters reaction this time was more sympathetic compared to the previous year's Champions League final). It was later confirmed by Liverpool that he had torn a groin muscle, but was expected to be fit for the World Cup.
On 30 April 2007 Kewell made his comeback from almost a year out of club football. He came on as a 55th minute substitute for Liverpool Reserves in a 'mini-derby' against Everton Reserves. On 5 May 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 substitution in 2005–06 FA Cup Final. On May 13, 2007, Kewell 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 Athletic. Kewell provided a cross in for Dirk Kuyt to assist towards a Xabi Alonso goal and then scored a penalty on the 90th minute.[11] He played in the Champions league Final in Athens, coming on as a second half substitute for Boudewijn Zenden.
Kewell was injured for the start of the 2007–08 season, and he faced an uncertain future at Liverpool having suffered yet another injury, which sidelined him for the first month of the Premier League season. Kewell returned as a substitute in Liverpool's League Cup victory over Cardiff City on 31 October, coming on in the 71st minute. He has since come on as a substitute in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League against Blackburn and Beşiktaş respectively. After his return Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez stated on the club's website and to other members of the media that a new contract for Kewell to continue his career at Anfield was not out of the question. Many believed that if Kewell could stay injury free until the season's end he would be offered the chance to remain with the club.
Kewell found himself unable to make the team after Liverpool's FA Cup defeat to Barnsley. Benítez revealed that Kewell was in extra training with the reserves in a bid to win a new contract.[citation needed].
His chances of a new contract were hindered however, when seeking games and match fitness, he traveled with his national team to play in a game against Singapore. Kewell returned to England with a groin strain, unfortunately leaving less time to prove himself worthy of a new deal.
His first goal of the 2007–08 season was for the Liverpool reserve team in their 2–0 win over rivals Manchester United. Because of injuries, his future at Liverpool was uncertain[12]
In May 2008 it was revealed Kewell had turned down a new contract at Liverpool.[13]
Galatasaray
2008–09 season
On 5 July 2008, Turkish champions Galatasaray signed Kewell to a two-year deal.[14] He said "I wanted to move on and this is the best way. I can't wait to get started, it's just what I'm looking forward to, a new challenge."Kewell's transfer to Galatasaray provoked strong criticism from fans of his former team Leeds United as he was a Leeds player when two of their fans were killed in clashes before a UEFA Cup semi-final against Galatasaray in Istanbul in April 2000. Kewell responded and in an open letter he stated "I chose the No 19 shirt when I signed for Galatasaray AS as a sign of respect for Leeds because that was the number I got when I first became a regular member of the Leeds United starting XI. "I felt that it might be a way to demonstrate that I had not forgotten where it all started and I was hoping that in a small way it would help the healing process of the tragedy that occurred on the 5th of April 2000. To blame the Galatasaray club for the tragedy in Istanbul is simply wrong and discriminatory."[15][16][17]
Kewell made his debut for Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Cup where he came on as a substitute after 66 minutes, scoring his first goal for Galatasaray with his first touch in the 2–1 win over Kayserispor, while also providing the assist for the second goal. His second goal for Gala came in the first league game of the season against Denizlispor, where Galatasaray won 4–1.
Following medical consultations in Australia, it was announced on 12 December 2008 that Kewell would need surgery to repair an inguinal hernia, and the operation took place on 15 December 2008.[20] [21]
Of the nine games that Kewell had scored in before his injury, Galatasaray had won them all, including 2 UEFA Cup games, 6 League games and a Turkish Super Cup match.[22]
In a UEFA Cup game against FC Girondins de Bordeaux, Kewell scored a goal from 35 metres out,[23] bringing the score to 2–1. Galatasaray ended up winning the game and proceeding in the UEFA Cup to the last 16.
On the 12 March 2009 UEFA Cup last 16 match against Hamburger SV, after the sending off of fellow teammate Emre Aşık, Kewell had to play as a centre back defender for 40 minutes but managed to fulfil the role adequately despite being out of position.[24] In the second leg of the last 16 match he was again played in the same position, scoring a penalty whilst doing so.
2009–10 season
In the 2009–10 season, Kewell scored 14 goals in 27 matches, playing as the main striker in most matches, due to an injury of Milan Baroš. Kewell's contract with Galatasaray expired after the 2009–10 season.[25]2010–11 season
On 16 July 2010 it was revealed that Kewell had rejected an approach from Gold Coast United in favour of staying in Europe. Galatasaray offered a new 1 year contract, but it is believed that Kewell preferred a longer contract.[26] On July 19, 2010 Galatasaray announced via its official website that the parties had agreed to a 1 year extension of Kewell's contract.[27] On the 21st of July the details of Kewell's contract were revealed. He would receive a lump sum fee of 1.08 million Euros and also 30,000 Euros per match.[28] It was also revealed that Harry would wear the number 99 for the 2010-2011 season.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.[29][30] 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 100,000, 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 football in Australia 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 1998 World Cup in France.
FIFA World Cup 2006
In November 2005, Australia qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup taking place in Germany. It was the first time Australia had qualified for the 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, 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 Brazil 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 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 who had won an award earlier in the tournament. Even though he was obviously not fully fit in the World Cup he still proved to be a big match player when Australia needed him.
Due to suspected gout,[31][32] (later diagnosed as septic arthritis — a bacterial infection in the joints of his left foot) Kewell was unable to play against Italy in the knockout stage, which saw Australia eliminated from the World Cup.
Asian Cup 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 against Singapore in late June 2007. The match was Australia's last before the Asian Cup 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.[33][34] 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.[35] After the group stage, in a quarter-final against Japan, 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.[36]2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification
Kewell did not play either of Australia's first two matches against Qatar and China. Kewell was made captain for Australia's qualifier against Iraq at Suncorp Stadium on 1 June 2008. He scored the only goal with a header in the 47th minute as Australia won 1–0.[37] Kewell also scored the third goal against Qatar in Australia's 3–1 win to put them into the final qualification round.[38] In a world cup qualifier warm up game against the Dutch, he scored a penalty won by Joshua Kennedy. Australia went on to win 2–1 with Kewell playing a vital part for the national team in the first half. Australia then played the Uzbekistan, winning 2–0 with Kewell scoring a penalty.FIFA World Cup 2010
Kewell did not play in Australia's opening game of the 2010 FIFA World Cup against Germany in South Africa. Germany won the game with the score of 4–0. After the loss, Kewell said that the morale of the team remains high, ahead of a clash on June 19 against Ghana.During the game against Ghana on June 19, Kewell was sent off for blocking a goal by handling the ball. Standing on the goal line, Kewell attempted to block the ball from entering the goals with his chest, however the ball ricocheted off his arm; he received a straight red card for this offence on 24 minutes. Ghana went on to score the resulting penalty and the game was drawn 1–1, severely damaging Australia's hopes of progressing in the competition. This was the 150th red card issued in a FIFA World Cup game.[39] The Galatasaray player has denied rumours that he was behind a supposed rift in the Socceroos' camp.[40] After the game Kewell said that he was devastated by the decision made by referee Roberto Rosetti and felt that the red card "killed" his World Cup dream.[41]
Asian Cup 2011
Harry Kewell has started in all of the Socceroos' matches so far in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, and has scored three times for the green and gold in the Qatar-based tournament. His first goal came in Australia's first match, against India, with a left footed shot from outside the penalty area. Kewell's second goal came in Australia's quarter final match against Iraq with a header in the 118th minute in extra-time, which gave Australia a 1–0 win and put them into the semi-finals of the Asian Cup for the first time in Australia's history. Kewell continued his fine form in the semi-final against Uzbekistan by opening the scoring in the first 5 minutes, helping his side to a 6–0 win and into the final.Personal life
Kewell is married to English soap star Sheree Murphy, whom he met at the Majestyk club in 2000. The couple married in Las Vegas on 24 May 2003 and have three children, son Taylor (born 2001) eldest daughter Ruby Heather Toni (born 2003) and their third child, a daughter Matilda born on 19 March 2008.As of May 2008, Kewell has become the face of Australian men's fashion brand, Politix.[42]
Kewell is a fan favourite amongst Galatasaray supporters; his working discipline and dignified personality are also appreciated by his teammates and board members in Galatasaray as well. He is described as fully professional with a charming character, always smiling and is dedicated to his family.[43] His nicknames at Galatasaray are Büyücü Harry meaning Harry the Wizard (inspired by Harry Potter) and the Wizard of Oz (Turkish: Oz Büyücüsü).
He has advocated the introduction of Western Sydney A-League expansion team Sydney Rovers FC, having grown up in Smithfield in Sydney's west. He is also a supporter of the Canterbury Bulldogs rugby league team.[44]
Long time manager of Kewell is Bernie Mandic who has had a successful partnership in securing Kewell lucrative and long term contracts with high profile clubs. The Daily Telegraph in Sydney reported that Mandic went on the defensive in August 2010 over a media reports on Kewell ability and commitment to the Australian National Team in the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa.
Honours
Club
- FA Youth Cup
- Winner: 1996–97
- UEFA Champions League
- FA Cup
- Winner: 2005–06
- FIFA Club World Championship
- Runner-up: 2005
- Football League Cup
- Runner-up: 2004–05
- Turkish Super Cup
- Winner: 2008
International
- OFC Nations Cup
- Winner: 2004
- FIFA Confederations Cup
- Runner-up: 1997
- FIFA World Cup
- 2nd round: 2006
- Asian Cup
- runners-up: 2011 Asian Cup
Individual
- Oceania Footballer of the Year
- Winner: 1999, 2001, 2003
- Nominated: 1997 (8th), 1998 (3rd), 2000 (2nd), 2002 (2nd)
- PFA Young Player of the Year
- Winner: 1999–2000
- Ballon d'Or
- Nominated: 2001
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