Towering striker Josh Kennedy said Sunday he is relishing the prospect of a battle with former Nagoya Grampus teammate Maya Yoshida when Australia goes toe to toe with Japan in Tuesday's high-stakes World Cup qualifier in Saitama.
Kennedy has not played for Australia since 2011 due to a long-standing back problem. But the 30-year-old is confident he will get the nod to start up front against Yoshida, who he believes has gone from strength to strength since leaving Grampus to join Southampton via a spell with VVV Venlo in the Netherlands.
"It should be good. He (Yoshida) normally comes in the offseason to Nagoya and trains a bit and says hello. It will be good to catch up with him and I'm looking forward to it," said Kennedy, once described by Grampus boss Dragan Stojkovic as the "king of the air."