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Craig HillHarry Kewell out of Australia-China clash
March 26th 2008 05:00
Australia will be without their injury-plagued captain Harry Kewell for the World Cup qualifier against China in just a few hours time (kick-off 5pm AEDT 26/3).
The out of favour Liverpool winger had to pull out of the match through injury - a tight groin - most like suffered during Saturday's friendly against Singapore. From the Socceroos training camp in Kunming, coach Pim Verbeek made the decision not to risk the star midfielder this morning after he failed to complete last night's closed training session.
This is a huge blow to Australia's chances of securing an away win against China who will be roared on by a partisan home crowd. Already without the likes of Everton midfielder Tim Cahill, Newcastle United striker Mark Viduka, Josh Kennedy, Mile Sterjovski and Scott McDonald, the loss of a player of Kewell's stature and experience could prove costly.
However, not everything is going China's way with the home side experiencing some injury problems of their own with Manchester United's Dong Fangzhou and striker Shi Jun ruled out while winger Shao Jiayi and utility Sun Jihai are both returning from injury.
Should Australia beat the Chinese, they will open up a five-point buffer between them and their most dangerous opponents in Group 1.
[Source: Foxsports.com]
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