Harry Kewell sends USA a warning: 'We managed to neutralise that'
Australian icon celebrates thumping win over Turkey and already has a message for the Socceroos' next World Cup opponents
Australia took to the field in Canada, won 2–0, and silenced the doubters. Now one of the greatest icons in Socceroos history already has his sights set on the next challenge — and the message to the United States was blunt.
Harry Kewell, former Liverpool striker and Champions League winner in 2005, made no effort to hide his satisfaction with Australia's World Cup opener. Speaking to SBS, as reported by ge, he got straight to the point: "I think tonight Australia silenced a lot of people, which is fantastic," said the former player, who scored 17 goals for the national team and featured at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.
Kewell also hit back at the criticism that had been circulating ahead of the match against Turkey. For him, the answer was always going to come on the pitch. "When people talk too much, the best way to silence them is on the field," he said.
But the veteran, now 47 and working as a coach, has already moved on. Australia's next opponents are the United States, and Kewell sees tactical similarities with Turkey — which, in his view, is good news. "The USA have a certain style of play, which Turkey also had, but we managed to neutralise that," he declared, describing his side as "resilient, strong and disciplined."
On the American side, Golmetria's model points to the USA as favourites to advance from Group D, with a 95% chance of making it through — but the road to the title remains long and uncertain. In the market, the odds reflect a competitive team, though far from outright favourites.
Australia and the United States meet in the second round of the World Cup. The question that lingers: will Australian resilience work again — or do the Americans have an answer that Turkey never found?