Ehemalige Dynamos!

Kennedy right at home playing in land of the rising sun

Having spent the past four years in Japan, there could be few more fitting places for Josh Kennedy to make his return to the international arena than in the most daunting venue in Japanese football.

As one of the J-League's most prolific strikers in recent years, Kennedy knows all about the noise created by Urawa Reds fans each week at Saitama Stadium - but also how to silence them.

He made his comeback only in the past few months from a back injury, one that has kept him out of a Socceroos jersey since late 2011, leaving some to wonder if he would be seen again at this level.

But having scored three goals since checking back in with Nagoya Grampus, and regaining his spot in the green and gold, Kennedy is desperate to prove he's capable of destabilising Japan's back four in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier.

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''I played in the last seven or eight games for Nagoya, the full 90 minutes, so my fitness levels are quite good and back where they should be,'' he said. ''I'm going into the game feeling quite confident.''

Pressed on whether he will start - an idea that has been gathering momentum throughout the week - Kennedy reckoned he was ready.

''I've put in a good effort at training and trained quite well. I've definitely put my hand up to the boss and let him know I want to start,'' he said.

''But at the end of the day it's up to him [Holger Osieck] and how he wants to play and what kind of tactics he wants to use.''

The match is something of a home fixture for the one-time Dynamo Dresden forward, for he's only a quick ride away from the Japanese capital on the world-famous Shinkansen.

''I think it's less stressful for me than the other boys. They've travelled in after their games, whereas I've got a two-hour train to Tokyo and then a taxi ride,'' he said.

''It's quite easy. And the food isn't a big change, either.''


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/kennedy-right-at-home-playing-in-land-of-the-rising-sun-20130602-2njy2.html#ixzz2V8w08rdC

In Dresden hat Ihr Wechsel für viel Wirbel gesorgt. Nach Ihrem halben Jahr bei Dynamo waren alle dort sicher, dass Sie zurückkämen.

Schahin Ich hatte Dynamo aber nie etwas versprochen. Ich hatte eine richtig gute Zeit dort, und es gab auch Kontakte, das stimmt. Aber ich habe mich schon früh, Mitte Februar etwa, für Fortuna entschieden, und danach habe ich alle Kontakte zu anderen Klubs beendet, auch zu Dynamo.