Kewell recalled for World Cup qualifier
Former Liverpool winger Harry Kewell has been recalled to the Australian squad for the April 1 World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan.
Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek announced a 22-man squad Wednesday for the Sydney match, including Galatasaray forward Kewell along with Everton midfielder Tim Cahill and West Ham defender Lucas Neill in his strongest available squad.
Australia leads Group A with 10 points from three wins and a draw halfway through the last full round of Asian qualifying. The Socceroos are two points clear of second place Japan and six clear of Bahrain and Qatar. Uzbekistan has just one point from a draw and three losses, including a home defeat to Australia.
A win against Uzbekistan would put Australia well on the way to securing one of the top two spots in the Group and automatic qualifying for South Africa 2010. The top two teams in Group B will also qualify directly.
Kewell missed the scoreless draw with leading group rival Japan at Yokohama in February due to injury. Vince Grella and former Glasgow Rangers and Newcastle United defender Craig Moore were not considered for the Uzbekistan match due to injuries.
Uzbekistan will play Qatar at Tashkent and Japan will host Bahrain at Saitama on March 28.
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Australia: Michael Beauchamp (Aalborg, Denmark), Mark Bresciano (Palermo, Italy), Jacob Burns (SC Unirea Valahorun, Romania), Tim Cahill (Everton), David Carney (Norwich, England), Scott Chipperfield (FC Basel, Switzerland), Chris Coyne (Colchester, England), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven, Holland), Adam Federici (Reading, England), Richard Garcia, (Hull City, England), Brett Holman (AZ Alkmaar, Holland), Mile Jedinak (Genclerbirligi, Turkey), Josh Kennedy (Karlsruhe, Germany), Harry Kewell (Galatasaray, Turkey), Scott McDonald (Celtic, Scotland), Lucas Neill (West Ham, England), Jade North (Incheon United, Korea), Michael Petkovic (Sizasspor, Turkey), Mark Schwarzer (Fulham, England), Mile Sterjovski (Derby, England), Carl Valeri (US Grosseto, Italy), Luke Wilkshire (Dynamo Moscow, Russia).
