Kewell shows he can still deliver

It has been almost two years since the world has seen the best of Harry Kewell.

Since his breathtaking performances for Australia in their historic World Cup campaign in Germany in 2006, the man regarded by most as the most gifted footballer to don the green and gold jersey has been ravaged by injuries.

His dream 2003 move from Leeds United to football giant Liverpool in the English Premiership quickly turned into a nightmare, with the left-footer simply unable to keep himself on the field for any extended period.

His time at Anfield came to a disappointing conclusion at the end of last season, with Kewell forced to see out his remaining days in the famous red jersey playing in manager Rafael Benitez`s second team.

So it was without a club and with a point to prove that Kewell arrived back on Australian shores for the Socceroos` World Cup qualifiers, determined to show Benitez and the raft of critics he left in England he was not a spent force in top-flight football.

Finally rid of the debilitating groin, hamstring and foot injuries which have plagued him, Kewell even managed to impress hard-marking Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek, who handed him the captain`s armband for just the second time in his international career.

With the challenges laid bare in front of him, Kewell last night responded in emphatic fashion, sending a message in his 76-minute display that will no doubt will go around the world.

Kewell was simply outstanding for the Socceroos and, with goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, proved the difference between the two sides.

"It was his first game on home soil in a long time and he gave us extra quality," Verbeek said after the match.

"He scored a great goal. It was a pity I had to take him off in the end, but he was cramping up and there was just no way he could go on any longer.

"Probably most important for us, he showed great leadership for the team out there."

Verbeek predicted that Kewell`s class and experience could give his side the upper hand and the visitors clearly took note, hitting him with everything bar the kitchen sink and handing the Socceroos five free-kicks while earning two yellow cards in the process.

But nothing could lessen Kewell`s impact. He set up a wonderful chance for midfielder Mark Bresciano early on after some beautiful passing with striker Scott McDonald, created another opportunity for Emerton and narrowly missed scoring himself with two solid headers - the first of which required a reflex save from Iraq keeper Noor Sabri.

Just two minutes after the break, however, Sabri could do nothing to stop a powerful Kewell header from a perfect Emerton cross.

"We rode our luck but we got the goal and the three points," Kewell said after the match.

"I was just glad I could take the chance when I did. Scott (McDonald) and I had some great deliveries from the boys out wide. It was just lucky it happened to be me in the middle there a few times. We had Scott making runs down the wings, so I was able to just stand in the middle.

"They were whipping them in all the time, one of them had to go in eventually."

Kewell looked certain to add a second goal after a wonderful curling cross from Luke Wilkshire found him in the clear, only to have Sabri again deny his good effort in front of goal.

But the missed chances meant little to the massive crowd in attendance who rose as one with a Harry chant as the skipper handed over his armband to Vinnie Grella and left the field 14 minutes before full-time.

He may have lost some lustre with Liverpool`s faithful, but last night Australian football fans showed they are still wild about Harry.