World Cup 2014: Player profile - who is Joshua Kennedy, the Australia forward?

Counting down the 100 players to look out for in Brazil this summer

Staff
Friday 07 March 2014 19:47 GMT
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Joshua Kennedy of Australia
Joshua Kennedy of Australia (GETTY IMAGES)

The World Cup in Brazil is coming into view and everyone is hoping this summer's carnival can take its place among some of the great tournaments of the past, but who will be the star of the show?

With 96 days to go until things kick-off, check out our latest instalment of 100 players to look out for at the competition below.

96. Joshua Kennedy (Australia)

The Socceroos' striker hoping to represent his country at this year’s finals did his hopes no harm when he scored the winning goal against Iraq last year to safely secure Australia’s ticket to Brazil. He’s found the net 17 times on international duty, but none have been as important as his strike against their Middle East opponents in June 2013.

Kennedy spent most of his career in Germany playing for Wolfsburg, Stuttgarter Kickers, FC Koln, Dynamo Dresden, FC Nurnberg and Karlsruher SC, but five years ago moved to his current club Nagoya Grampus in Japan.

Born in Wodonga, the Aussie forward has fought off serious injuries to continue his playing career into his 30s, having suffered ankle ligament damage, a herniated disc as well as knee and back problems.

It will be Kennedy’s second World Cup finals appearance after featuring in South Africa 2010 when the Socceroo’s were unfortunate not to make the round of last-16 having won one, drawn one and lost one of their three Group D matches.

Did you know? Kennedy is known by Australian fans as ‘Jesus’ due to his resemblance to Christ in his early playing career

Video: Kennedy's late goal which took Australia to the World Cup

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