Kewell named Oceania footballer of the year

Australia and Liverpool midfielder Harry Kewell was named as Oceania's footballer of the year for the third time in six seasons on Monday.

The 25-year-old Kewell joined New Zealand's Wynton Rufer as the only players to win the region's most prestigious individual award three times when he topped the annual poll.

Kewell's Australian and former Leeds United team mate Mark Viduka finished second in the voting with New Zealand's Ryan Nelsen third.

"I'm proud to equal Wynton's record and would like to thank the people who voted for me," Kewell said in a statement on the Oceania Football Confederation web site.

"I will also try my best to break it and hope to produce enough good football to keep them voting for me."

Kewell also confirmed his intention to play for Australia in this year's Oceania World Cup qualifying series, saying media reports that he had refused to play were untrue.

"I've told [Australia coach] Frank Farina that if I'm fit and well, I will be there for him and that includes the Oceania World Cup qualifying series this year," Kewell said.

"And stories I would rather play for Liverpool than Australia are totally wrong. I was asked what I would like with Liverpool and said to win a premiership. Australia and the World Cup were never mentioned in the question."