Australia's Kewell targets Asian Cup place

MELBOURNE, May 13 (Reuters) Liverpool's Harry Kewell is hoping to put another injury-ravaged season behind him by securing a place in Australia's squad for the Asian Cup. The 28-year-old forward had been out of action for 11 months with foot and groin problems when he came off the bench in Liverpool's 1-0 defeat by Fulham last week.

The Merseyside club's final matches of the season are today's Premier League clash against Charlton and the Champions League final against AC Milan in Athens on May 23, and Kewell is hoping any first-team action will convince Socceroos coach Graham Arnold to give him a place in the Asian Cup squad.

Kewell said he also wanted to play in the warm-up match against Uruguay in Sydney on June 2.

''That's a decision for the Australian staff and the Liverpool staff to get together, they had a meeting the other day and as far as I'm aware, everything went well,'' Kewell told Australian television channel SBS today.

''But we're waiting, obviously, to see what happens over the next two games to give me the go-ahead, whether I can play or not.

''I've rested for 11 months. I just want to start playing football, competitive games and get back into the action again.

''I've missed that and if everything goes well and Liverpool give me the go-ahead, I would love to play in the Asian Cup with Australia, because I think it's a great opportunity.'' Kewell said he had not given up hope of playing in the Champions League final against Milan, a repeat of the 2005 showpiece when the Australian hobbled off injured in the first half.

''If I can play it would be fantastic, but just to be in the squad would be a massive boost for me, because obviously the last Champions League final, that's when all my problems started,'' Kewell said.

Australia have been drawn alongside Iraq, Oman and co-hosts Thailand in Group A for their maiden appearance in the July 7-29 Asian Cup, and open their campaign against Oman in Bangkok on July 8.

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