Kewell ready for action

Harry Kewell says his body is holding up well as he prepares to tackle Oman and Japan.

Despite a significant period of rest following the most recent Hyundai A-League season, Harry Kewell is fit and ready to fire for the Qantas Socceroos against Oman on Friday.

Kewell-s outing against Denmark in Copenhagen last Saturday was his first since the conclusion of Melbourne Victory-s domestic campaign in late March.

That considered, Kewell-s performance up front was very encouraging for Australia fans, who know that Kewell-s fourteen years of experience as a Qantas Socceroo will be invaluable come Friday evening.

“I was a little bit stiff and sore after the game (against Denmark), but that-s to be expected,” said Kewell.

“I enjoyed the game, I played 70 minutes and I felt as though I worked well and I played well, I linked up well with Alex, the team created a lot of chances, I don-t think the score line justified the way the whole match proceeded.

“We-ll just see how it goes but I-m feeling good.”

For the fifth consecutive FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, Kewell looms as one of Australia-s lynchpin performers.

Capped over fifty times in green and gold, Kewell also figures among Australia-s all-time leading goal scorers, having found the back of the net 17 times for his country.

Of those strikes, three were scored throughout the course of Australia-s last FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, where Kewell - at times - wore the armband for his country as they secured their place in South Africa.

The stride towards what would potentially be Kewell-s third FIFA World Cup appearance recommences in earnest on Friday, where another formidable challenge awaits Kewell and his team-mates.

“It-s hot, I-m not going to lie,” said Kewell of conditions in Muscat, the city that will host Friday-s match.

“We-ve gone out there and we-ve trained a few times now and it-s going to be a tough game but the boys are preparing well and I-m sure they-re going to be up for it.”

“This group is tough and to go to these places now is tough,”

“You can see from the first time we ever played Oman to now, they-ve upped their ante by how they-re playing.

“This is going to be no different on Friday, it-s going to be a tough game and we-ve got to be at our very best to get a result.”

The Qantas Socceroos begin their final phase of qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup with a clash against Oman in Muscat on Friday, 8 June. Kick off is at 5pm local time. (Kick off is at 11pm AEST).

Soon after, the Qantas Socceroos will host Japan in their first home fixture of the fourth stage of Asia-s FIFA World Cup qualification process on Tuesday, 12 June at Brisbane-s Suncorp Stadium. Kick off is at 8pm.

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