Sydney FC's Alessandro Del Piero with Melbourne Hearts Harry Kewell, relishing the upcoming A-League season. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: DailyTelegraph
THERE are five rounds for them both to get through unscathed first, but Harry Kewell has marked down November 15 as the date he finally gets to go head to head with Alessandro Del Piero.
Melbourne Heart host Sydney FC that day in round six of the new season, with Heart's elder statesman keen for a battle of the marquees.
Twice before injuries have kept Kewell out of such a contest — first when Juventus played Liverpool over two legs in the quarterfinals of the 2005 Champions League, and again a year later when Italy knocked Australia out of the World Cup in Germany.
"So, yeah, it would be nice to see it at last — we are two different styles of attacking player," Kewell said after meeting Del Piero for the first time this week at a shoot for Fox Sports' new-season promotion.
"I'm more of a get on the ball and dribble, and he's more of a passer and set-piece taker. It would be an interesting comparison. Sydney are going through a transitional phase, and there's no better player they could have at the club to help them on their way.
"From what I hear, he had a fantastic season last year — scored goals and brought people to the games. I'm sure all the kids are learning just watching him — players like him, the A-League can do with."
After his year out of the game, Kewell says there is a difference to the standard since he left Melbourne Victory — particularly among the ranks of those breaking through.
"There's definitely a lot more talent flying about, especially around the 19-22 year old level," he said. "They're a lot more capable now — they maybe need to find their confidence, and then you'll see that quality.
"The league is still fast, it's still furious, it's still tough. And that's great. We've got some young kids at Heart, and the talent is surprisingly very good. I've pulled John [Aloisi, Heart coach] aside a couple of times and said, wow I didn't expect this.
"The young players we've got just need to realise what potential they've got. Once they do that I think they will shine a lot more. I will try to help them unlock that, and push them in every way.
"I'm here to help - even the players fighting for my position, I'll be pushing them to push me. That way I'm helping myself."
And that of course could lead to the greatest prize of all. Some 18 months since he last appeared for the Socceroos, Kewell still believes he can have a role to play for the national team with an eye to the World Cup - but not until he has mounted a case for his club that earns him a place on form, not reputation.
"Of course, it's on my radar," he said of next year's showpiece tournament in Brazil. "I think it's on everyone's radar. A World Cup only comes around every four years and you want to be part of it.
"But you've got to play well for your club first before you can even let the national coach think about including you in a squad. First and foremost is your club form.
"My passion's never left - I went through a downtime at Liverpool, but Galatasaray brought it back. I enjoyed my time at Victory, but I'm enjoying it here now."
Twice before injuries have kept Kewell out of such a contest — first when Juventus played Liverpool over two legs in the quarterfinals of the 2005 Champions League, and again a year later when Italy knocked Australia out of the World Cup in Germany.
"So, yeah, it would be nice to see it at last — we are two different styles of attacking player," Kewell said after meeting Del Piero for the first time this week at a shoot for Fox Sports' new-season promotion.
"I'm more of a get on the ball and dribble, and he's more of a passer and set-piece taker. It would be an interesting comparison. Sydney are going through a transitional phase, and there's no better player they could have at the club to help them on their way.
"From what I hear, he had a fantastic season last year — scored goals and brought people to the games. I'm sure all the kids are learning just watching him — players like him, the A-League can do with."
After his year out of the game, Kewell says there is a difference to the standard since he left Melbourne Victory — particularly among the ranks of those breaking through.
"There's definitely a lot more talent flying about, especially around the 19-22 year old level," he said. "They're a lot more capable now — they maybe need to find their confidence, and then you'll see that quality.
"The league is still fast, it's still furious, it's still tough. And that's great. We've got some young kids at Heart, and the talent is surprisingly very good. I've pulled John [Aloisi, Heart coach] aside a couple of times and said, wow I didn't expect this.
"The young players we've got just need to realise what potential they've got. Once they do that I think they will shine a lot more. I will try to help them unlock that, and push them in every way.
"I'm here to help - even the players fighting for my position, I'll be pushing them to push me. That way I'm helping myself."
And that of course could lead to the greatest prize of all. Some 18 months since he last appeared for the Socceroos, Kewell still believes he can have a role to play for the national team with an eye to the World Cup - but not until he has mounted a case for his club that earns him a place on form, not reputation.
"Of course, it's on my radar," he said of next year's showpiece tournament in Brazil. "I think it's on everyone's radar. A World Cup only comes around every four years and you want to be part of it.
"But you've got to play well for your club first before you can even let the national coach think about including you in a squad. First and foremost is your club form.
"My passion's never left - I went through a downtime at Liverpool, but Galatasaray brought it back. I enjoyed my time at Victory, but I'm enjoying it here now."
