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PROFILE
Having
sprung to the attention of the nation during the
1997/98 season, United's 'Wizard of Oz', proved
undoubtedly that it was no flash in the pan , with
a superb second campaign for Leeds, which ended
with a fourth place finish in the Premiership and a
place in the UEFA Cup.
Now
courted by top clubs all over Europe and rated as a
future world class talent by many respected judges
in the game, Harry remains loyal to Leeds and this
summer signed a new five year
contract.
Sydney
born Harry was originally given his debut in the
1995/96 season, as a 17 year old, by Howard
Wilkinson, but as George Graham bedded in the
following season Harry's progress was held up as
the boss set his sights on Premiership survival,
rather than giving youth it's head, and Kewell whom
Leeds had recruited from the New South Wales Soccer
Academy and was already a full Australian
international, was limited to just a single
substitute appearance.
Then
a pre-season injury, that was to rule Lee Sharpe
out for the whole season, gave Harry the
opportunity that he'd been waiting for, and he
grabbed it with both hands.
Breaking
into the side as a left winger Harry showed
startling pace and trickery, and importantly bags
full of confidence.
Having
shown an eye for goal, he briefly kept Jimmy
Hasselbaink out of the attack in the autumn, and
then as Rod Wallace's magnificent start to the
season petered out, it was Kewell who was
increasingly used as Jimmy's strike
partner.
The
only dark cloud on an otherwise wonderful
footballing horizon for Harry, seems to be the
club's frosty relations with the Australian
FA.
Soccer
Australia, infuriated Leeds with a series of call
ups for what were seen as meaningless tournaments,
and when Kewell was pulled out of a three game
tournament with Brazil by the club, claiming the
youngster was injured, the Aussies secured a FIFA
ban on Harry that ruled him out of Leeds action for
the duration of the competition.
Having
netted 8 goals from 32 starts in his first season,
Harry went one better last time and there are bound
to be more ahead, as he continues to improve in
every department.
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