Harry Kewell....... Disappointing Australians since 1978

It’s tipped to be the season of legends with Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton back in Australia to show the league why there are worshipped as Australia’s greatest Socceroos. Harry Kewell has started off as well as Mario Balletillo’s career as a fireworks display co-ordinator! He has been so lacklustre and ordinary, the same old story for the past 8 years then. With 3 games down his team haven’t even managed to score a single goal which arguable has the best attacking side in the league. They lie in 7^th on two points considering there are only 10 teams in the league, it’s not the dream start he had in mind. Now Australia has the unfortunate task of watching this over rated footballer for 90 minutes a week for the rest of the season.

After Sydney’s disappointing season last time out Brett Emerton has been a breath of fresh air, Sydney have been closing down high up the pitch and have been rewarded with 1 win, 1 loss, 1 draw and are currently 4^th.  Sydney have had the harder run in and claimed their first three points against title contenders Adelaide United. Sydney was impressive throughout although they did go 1-0 down against the run of play and managed to turn it around and bag a deserved 2-1 victory.

With both players teams put against each other in the season opener it was made for a mouth-watering tie. Although it played out a 0-0 score line it was an action packed game with both goal keepers putting in great performances. Brett Emerton even had the chance to overshadow his rival and be an instant hero, Sydney was awarded a stone wall penalty which Emerton stepped up and had his shot saved. It was a great opener for the league which attracted an attendance of 40,000.

Other teams who have started well are Brisbane Roar who are on an incredible 31 game unbeaten run. They are 3 wins from 3 and impressively tore apart Emerton’s Sydney FC at the Sydney Football Stadium 2-0. Relegation tipped Wellington Phoenix are 4 points from two games with some help from experienced ex-Fulham keeper Tony Warner. They won their previous game 2-0; it was overshadowed with two red cards for the Phoenix, I had to double check the referee wasn’t former premier league referee Uriah Rennie as the decisions were truly shocking.

Emerton has over shadowed the other ‘legend’ so far. It is very apparent they are not going to have it their own way in this league. Kewell will have to finally pull his finger out for the first time in 8 years, with other teams around them starting well. The A-league is well and truly underway, with record attendances and teams playing some great football. It is so refreshing for Australian football and a world away from the shocking season last year.

Harry O’Donnell