Kewell’s ice-cold takedown of trash-talking Americans
Harry Kewell bumped into Landon Donovan recently and the pair had a friendly, amicable conversation about life and football.
And so it came as a shock for the Socceroos icon when the American Fox Sports pundit teed off on Australia’s prowess shortly after.
Kirk Herbstreit, Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey commentate. Getty
Donovan - Kewell’s illustrious playmaking contemporary - whacked manager Tony Popovic as “smug” and predicted the Socceroos would finish last in World Cup’s Group D.
Popovic has bit his tongue as the American barbs kept coming but Kewell is happy to return fire on behalf of his former teammate.
The ex-Liverpool star reckoned Australia had always been more of a football country than the United States and said the golden Socceroos generation that he starred in would be too good for Donovan’s vintage.
“I would be disappointed if anyone in the world would disagree with that,” Kewell told nine.com.au after expertly steering the Socceroos to a win over the USA in a EA Sports video game promotion in Sydney.
“Actually, I’d be ashamed. I’d actually say I’d question their knowledge of football.”
Kewell added that he didn’t even know who the outspoken Mike Grella was.
Grella - an ex-pro who represented the USA at age-group level - said Saturday’s (AEST) showdown in Seattle would be a “lay-up” for his country.
“Maybe old footballers want to create some vibe, they want to create some tension,” Kewell said.
“But we all know in football that football’s a small world, and you’re best to stay silent and let the football do the talking.”
Hanoi FC manager Kewell wasn’t surprised at all the trash talk.
Pre-game, Turkiye captain Hakan Calhanoglu declared his team were more “talented” than the Socceroos.
After the shock 2-0 loss the Inter Milan star doubled down and said his team had “dominated” the game.
Kewell - a former Galatasaray playmaker - actually agreed with that assessment but goals were the only currency that mattered.
Harry Kewell chats to nine.com.au and Stan Sport. Sam Worthington
“Again, water off a duck’s back to us,” he said.
“We do not care. It’s not the first time someone’s hurled abuse at us. We’re used to it, we know that we’re the underdogs. We just carry it (that tag), we just do our work.”
The USA, who thrashed Paraguay 4-1 in their opener, are hot favourites against Australia despite their best player, Christian Pulisic, being in doubt with a calf injury.
Popovic was happy to sit deep and soak up pressure against Turkiye before using Nestory Irakunda and Mohamed Toure to punish them on the break.
“Tactically, it works well for us now,” Kewell said.
“I believe maybe (USA manager Mauricio) Pochettino may change his ways, slightly, because if he matches up to the way that we were (setting up), I think it falls into our play.
“But I think if we want to hurt the USA, we need to have the ball a little bit more in the opposition half.”
USA centre back Tim Ream performed well against Paraguay but at the age of 38 may struggle to match the pace and dynamism of Irakunda and Toure.
Nestory Irankunda after scoring Australia’s first goal against Turkey. Getty
“The weak link for the USA is their backline, and I think if we can pinpoint them in either getting balls in behind or actually trying to get one-on-one situations, I think we have a chance,” Kewell said.
“You have to give credit too, like they’ve got some good players in there. Pulisic is fantastic and I quite like (Weston) McKennie.
“I thought them two really tore Paraguay apart, so again we have to be careful about them.”
