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Harry Kewell's Olympic dream shattered
SYDNEY, Aug 25 (AFP) - Leeds United's Australian international Harry Kewell has had his dream of playing at the Sydney Olympics shattered after a nagging Achilles tendon injury forced him to pull-out Friday. Olyroo coach Raul Blanco spoke to Kewell overnight who told him the injury was taking too long to heal and his Olympic hopes were over. "The dream he had is no longer in existence, it's a tough day for him too," said Blanco. "He wanted to do it so badly, he wanted to represent his country as a footballer in a tournament that he was dreaming about. "The reality is he cannot do it. Obviously he was very sad to announce this." Blanco said at training earlier this week that Kewell meant as much to the Australian Olympic campaign as Maradona did to Argentina at his peak. Soccer Australia chairman Basil Scarsella said it will be a big blow to Australia's Olympic hopes. "Clearly he's a world class player and him not being available is clearly going to be a blow for the Australian Olympic team," he said. It is not first time Kewell has disappointed his Australian fans. Last year he pulled out injured from a clash with Brazil with Australian officials claiming Leeds presured Kewell not to play. Kewell though has always maintained that playing in the Olympics was something he desperately wanted to do. "I think it is unreasonable of us to be pointing the finger at Leeds," said Scarsella. "Let's keep in mind that they have already played three or four games in their domestic season and Harry hasn't played because of injury. "There's no question in our minds that the injury is a genuine one.
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