Harry Kewell believes Melbourne Victory have turned the corner and are capable of upsetting Hyundai A-League titleholders Brisbane Roar at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
Harry Kewell believes Melbourne Victory have turned the corner and are capable of upsetting Hyundai A-League titleholders Brisbane Roar at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
Addressing reporters after a high-tempo training run on Friday morning, Kewell said the mood in the Victory camp was positive following last Sunday’s breakthrough win over Wellington Phoenix.
“Confidence is bred throughout Melbourne Victory,” he said.
“Yes, we’ve started off on the wrong foot, but we’re slowly putting that right and looking forward to (Saturday night’s) game.”
“We’re slowly getting there and, once we do, I’m sure we will be a team to look out for.”
Kewell said he expects his own form, like the team’s, to improve as the season advances.
He conceded that living up to expectations had been the hardest aspect so far of his return to play in the Hyundai A-League.
“It’s my hardest task, really,” Kewell said.
“I knew when I was coming over here what everyone was expecting and I knew in myself I had to be in top form, week-in, week-out.”
“I’m not going to shy away from it.”
“I know I need to crack up on a few things and I will do that.”
“Yes, I’ve got to work on my sharpness, but that will come.”
Kewell said the expectations of others were secondary to his own expectations of himself.
“Everyone can say what they like about my performance, but I’m the first person to know if I’ve played bad or not,” he said.
“I do look in the mirror and I see myself and if I can’t look myself in the eye then there’s no point in writing anything about it.”
“I already know I had a bad game.”
Kewell said Victory have the utmost respect for Brisbane who have the chance to extend their record unbeaten Hyundai A-League run to 33 games.
“That’s all down to the way their attitude is,” he said.
“Their manager has installed something great in that team and they’re taking that off the pitch and especially on the pitch.”
“It’s going to be a tough game this weekend, but we’re up for it.”
Kewell said that while he was pleased to be named in the Socceroos squad, it was up to coach Holger Osieck whether he’s named in the starting line-up for the World Cup qualifiers against Oman and Thailand later this month.
Osieck had warned earlier in the week that Kewell and Sydney FC’s Brett Emerton would need to improve their performances to win a starting spot.
