I'm feeling a sense of Deja Vu coming on, isn't it amazing how managers will overlook a players laziness, apathy and disinterest because he had a good season several years ago?
AUSTRALIA MANAGER TAKES RISKS FOR HARRY
Australia coach Pim Verbeek says that he is happy to concede he is taking a calculated risk on Harry Kewell's fitness ahead of the World Cup finals, but believes the midfielder's qualities ensure it is worth it.
Harry Kewell
GettyImagesHarry Kewell has already missed four months this year
Verbeek included Kewell in his 30-man provisional squad for the finals despite the 31-year-old having been restricted to just two minutes of football this year because of injury and Verbeek says he will win his race to be fit.
''I've spoken about Harry Kewell and I'm willing to speak about Harry again. Harry is special, so you can always take a risk with one player like him, if Harry is fit then he can be a special player for the team, so I will take a risk with Harry,'' Verbeek said. ''Harry will be fit for the World Cup. People can think what they like, but Harry will be fit.''
Aside from Kewell, Verbeek said reputations would count for nothing when he decides on his final squad of 23.
''The past is not important, at the moment, it's about the future and the future is that in four weeks time you start to play the World Cup,'' he said. ''I know about their qualities, that's a different story.
''First of course is quality, second is that I'll try to pick two players for every position. If you have a few players who can play several positions, that's an advantage for those players, because that's always what you need.
''We also have to find out if they are physically ready to do a job in the World Cup.''
AUSTRALIA MANAGER TAKES RISKS FOR HARRY
Australia coach Pim Verbeek says that he is happy to concede he is taking a calculated risk on Harry Kewell's fitness ahead of the World Cup finals, but believes the midfielder's qualities ensure it is worth it.
Harry Kewell
GettyImagesHarry Kewell has already missed four months this year
Verbeek included Kewell in his 30-man provisional squad for the finals despite the 31-year-old having been restricted to just two minutes of football this year because of injury and Verbeek says he will win his race to be fit.
''I've spoken about Harry Kewell and I'm willing to speak about Harry again. Harry is special, so you can always take a risk with one player like him, if Harry is fit then he can be a special player for the team, so I will take a risk with Harry,'' Verbeek said. ''Harry will be fit for the World Cup. People can think what they like, but Harry will be fit.''
Aside from Kewell, Verbeek said reputations would count for nothing when he decides on his final squad of 23.
''The past is not important, at the moment, it's about the future and the future is that in four weeks time you start to play the World Cup,'' he said. ''I know about their qualities, that's a different story.
''First of course is quality, second is that I'll try to pick two players for every position. If you have a few players who can play several positions, that's an advantage for those players, because that's always what you need.
''We also have to find out if they are physically ready to do a job in the World Cup.''
