SOCCEROO coach Holger Osieck gave his seal of approval to Harry Kewell should the Socceroo superstar decide to move home to play in the A-League. Kewell was yesterday linked with Melbourne Victory.

''If that really happens then it will be a big boost for the A-League. If a player of his calibre would come back to Australia I think for the A-League it would be extraordinary. I would definitely welcome a move. I don't know how far it is realistic … but it is definitely what the A-League needs, big names … the young players can develop in the shade of the big names.''

Holger Osieck watches the friendly between Australia and New Zealand. Credit:Getty Images

Osieck wanted some of his new faces to step up against New Zealand yesterday and show what they could do at international level, and he pronounced himself delighted with their efforts in the comfortable 3-0 win against the All Whites.

Australia was much more cohesive in the second half than in the first, and deserved its margin of superiority with one of those newer faces, James Troisi, getting on the scoresheet with a penalty.